Antibiotics for Mastitis While Breast-Feeding
Examples
| cephalexin |
Keflex |
| dicloxacillin |
|
How It Works
Antibiotics eliminate infection by
killing bacteria.
Why It Is Used
Antibiotics are used to treat a
bacterial
breast infection (mastitis) and are prescribed after a
breast abscess is drained.
How Well It Works
Treatment of breast infections with
antibiotics usually is successful if the full prescription is taken. Treatment
does not harm the breast-feeding baby.
Side Effects
The side
effects of penicillin-based antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin, are rare. If
they occur, they usually are mild and include:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Intestinal
gas.
- Loose stools or diarrhea.
- Allergic reactions, such
as skin rashes and itching.
The side effects of cephalosporin antibiotics, such as
cephalexin, are rare. If they occur, they usually are mild and include:
- Diarrhea.
- Belly
pain.
- Allergic reactions, such as skin rashes and
itching.
- Vaginal yeast infection.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
The entire supply of antibiotics
prescribed should be taken, even after symptoms of the infection have cleared
up.
Resistant bacteria have become more common causes of
infections. If your mastitis is caused by a resistant strain of bacteria, the
first treatment with an antibiotic may not cure it. Some women who have mastitis
may need a second treatment with a different antibiotic.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
Last Revised
|
January 10, 2012 |
Last Revised:
January 10, 2012
