Breast Engorgement - Treatment Overview

Breast engorgement is a common problem after birth and during breast-feeding. You can prevent and treat it at home. You do not need to visit your doctor unless you have symptoms of an infection (mastitis), which may require antibiotic treatment.

If you are not going to breast-feed, there currently is no safe medicine available for "drying up" your breasts and preventing breast engorgement.

You can use self-care measures to help prevent or relieve breast engorgement.

If you are breast-feeding, self-care focuses on increasing the flow of milk out of your breasts. You do this with frequent breast-feedings, making sure that your baby is latched on well. You can expect some relief within 12 to 24 hours. And the discomfort should disappear within a few days.
If you are not breast-feeding, breast engorgement will improve as your breasts stop producing milk. Pain and discomfort should go away in 1 to 5 days. You may find home treatment helpful for relieving symptoms.

For more information on self-care measures to help prevent or relieve the discomfort of breast engorgement, see the Home Treatment section of this topic.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 10, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

Breast Engorgement Topics

One Pill a Day: Up to 24 Hours of Heartburn Relief in Many Adults with ARD

Important Safety Information

KAPIDEX may not be right for everyone. You should not take KAPIDEX if you are allergic to KAPIDEX or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported.
Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
The most common side effects of KAPIDEX were diarrhea (4.8%), stomach pain (4.0%), nausea (2.9%), common cold (1.9%), vomiting (1.6%), and gas (1.6%). KAPIDEX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking KAPIDEX, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking KAPIDEX with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.

Uses of KAPIDEX

Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription KAPIDEX capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4–8 weeks.

Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. Please see full Prescribing Information for KAPIDEX.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.