The Basics
What is Saccharin?
Used to sweeten products such as drinks, candies, cookies, and medicines.
Brand names for Saccharin
Gavilyte‚Ñ¢-H
How Saccharin is classified
Artificial Sweeteners, Sweetening Agents
Saccharin During Pregnancy
Saccharin pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Saccharin while pregnant
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. It is not known whether GaviLyte-H and bisacodyl delayed-release tablet, USP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. GaviLyte-H and bisacodyl delayed-release tablet, USP should be given to a pregnant or nursing woman only if clearly needed.
Taking Saccharin While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Saccharin?
Because of the low levels of saccharin in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant after typical maternal intake are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, some authors suggest that women may wish to limit the consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners while breastfeeding because their effect on the nursing infants are unknown.[1][2]
Maternal / infant drug levels
Because of the low levels of saccharin in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant after typical maternal intake are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, some authors suggest that women may wish to limit the consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners while breastfeeding because their effect on the nursing infants are unknown.[1][2]
Possible effects of Saccharin on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Saccharin
Aspartame.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Sylvetsky AC, Gardner AL, Bauman V et al. Nonnutritive sweeteners in breast milk. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2015;78:1029-32. PMID: 26267522
2. Rother KI, Sylvetsky AC, Schiffman SS. Non-nutritive sweeteners in breast milk: Perspective on potential implications of recent findings. Arch Toxicol. 2015;89:2169-71. PMID: 26462668
3. Egan PC, Marx CM, Heyl PS et al. Saccharin excretion in mature human milk. Drug Intell Clin Pharm. 1984;18:511. Abstract.
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
