Which antihistamine is considered safe for a woman who plans to breast-feed?

Loratadine is considered safe for women who plan to breast-feed because it is a second-generation antihistamine that has a low level of sedation and minimal transfer to breast milk. Studies have indicated that loratadine is generally well tolerated in nursing mothers, and the amounts that might be ingested by an infant through breast milk are minimal, causing little risk of sedation or adverse effects in breastfeeding infants.

In contrast, clemastine, while effective, is a first-generation antihistamine and has a higher likelihood of causing sedation, both in the mother and the infant. Bromocriptine is not an antihistamine but a dopamine agonist that is used primarily to suppress lactation; therefore, it is not suitable for women intending to breast-feed. Sertraline is an antidepressant (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and although it can sometimes be used in breastfeeding, it is not relevant to the category of antihistamines. Thus, loratadine stands out as the safest choice for managing allergic symptoms in breastfeeding mothers.