Can you take oxymetazoline while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
Although no information exists on the use of oxymetazoline specifically during breastfeeding, very little should reach the infant through breastmilk because of the local administration and limited absorption into the maternal bloodstream. It is recommended over oral systemic decongestants such as pseudoephedrine during breastfeeding. Topical use on the face is unlikely to present a risk to the nursing infant.
Quoted from Oxymetazoline — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised February 15, 2025.
How much oxymetazoline gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take oxymetazoline while breastfeeding?
What the NIH's Drugs and Lactation Database says about Oxymetazoline while breastfeeding — quoted in full. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
Does oxymetazoline pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for oxymetazoline are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking oxymetazoline?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on oxymetazoline
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.