Medications and Breastfeeding
Every day, I get asked by parents what type of medication can I take while breastfeeding. There are many medications that are safe to take while breastfeeding however, some are not safe. Therefore, it is your responsibility as a new mom who is breastfeeding to call up your doctor and askyour doctor if it is okay to breastfeeding while on your drug. Remember, the medication you take will passthrough your breast milk. Dr. Thomas W. Hale is a clinical pharmacologist.He has a very informative and professional website to look up drugs. He has written numerous books as well as having been involved with many research projects on this subject. Dr. Thomas W. Hales's website is: www.breastfeeding.com/thomas-w-hale-phd.An infant risk center hotline is open from 8:00 A. M. to 5:00 P.M. central time in the United States at 806-352-2519. They can help you with the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I hope you find all these information helpful. The information below is not intended totake the place of asking your doctor what drug is right for you. It is only a reference guide. Below is a list of common medications that are approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the use of breastfeeding moms. Here is alist from Dr. Thomas W. Hale's Book, Medications and Mother's Milk: ACNE - Clindamycin (topical), Erythromycin (oral) ALLERGIC RHINITIS - Triprolidine ANESTHETIC - Bupivacaine, Fentanyl, Halothane, Ketorolac, Lidocaine, Lorazepam, Metoclopramide, Morphine, Thiopental Sodium ANGINA PECTORIS - Metoprolol, Nifedipine, Propranolol, Verapamil ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY - Warfarin ANXIETY DISORDERS - Clomipramine, Propranolol ASTHMA - Terbutaline, Theophylline, Methylprednisolone BIPOLAR DISORDER - Carbamazepine, Valproic Acid,Verapamil CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS - Atenolol, Digoxin, Disopyramide, Lidocaine, Metoprolol, Mexiletine HCL, Phenytoin, Procainamide, Propranolol, Quinidine, Sotalol, Verapamil, Warfarin CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE - Captopril, Digoxin, Enalapril Maleate, Hydralazine, Metoprolol, Nifedipine, Verapamil CONJUNCTIVITIS - Ceftriaxone, Erythromycin, Tetracycline (short term) CONTRACEPTION - Levonorgestrel COUGH - Cisapride, Codeine DEPRESSION - Clomipramine DIABETES - Tolbutamide FEVER - Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX - Cisapride GLAUCOMA - Acetazolamide, Timolol HEADACHE/PAIN, GENERAL - Acetaminophen, Codeine,Ibuprofen, Naproxen HYPERTENSION - Atenolol, Captopril, EnalaprilMaleate, Hydralazine, Labetalol, Metoprolol, Nifedipine, Propranolol, Sotalol, Verapamil HYPERTHYROIDISM - Methimazole, Propranolol, Propylthiouracil, INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE - Prednisone INSUFFICIENT MILK SUPPLY - Metoclopramide (Reglan: short term only - use for less than 2 months), Domperidone LOW BACK PAIN - Acetaminophen, Codeine,Ibuprofen, Naproxen MASTITIS - Cefazolin, Cephalexin, Clindamycin METABOLIC BONE DISEASE - Fluoride, Vitamin MIGRAINE - Butorphanol, Ketorolac, Metoprolol, Nifedipine, Propranolol, Valproic Acid, Verapamil MUSCLE SPASTICITY - Quinine NIPPLE VASOSPASM - Captopril, Methyldopa, Nifedipine, Terbutaline PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE - Ceftriaxone, Cefoxitin PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE - Amoxicillin, Tetracycline (short term) RADIOPAQUE/RADIOCONTRAST AGENTS - Tradenames: Conway, Chlorine, Telepaque, Oragrafin, Biologist, Hypaque,Gastrografin, Revue-Dip, Angiovist, Optiray RADIOACTIVE PROCEDURES - The following are approved with temporary cessation of breastfeeding: Technetium-99 MPertechnetate (pump and dump for 24 hours), Iodine 123 (pump and dump for 24hours), Thallium 201 (pump and dump for 2 weeks) RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON - Captopril, Methyldopa, Nifedipine, Terbutaline RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - Hydroxychloroquine, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Piroxicam, Prednisone ROSACEA - Clindamycin lotion/gel, Erythromycin,Tetracycline (short term) SEIZURE DISORDERS - Carbamazepine, Ethosuximide, Phenytoin, Valproic Acid URINARY TRACT INFECTION - Trimethoprim VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM - Warfare in Infectious Disease Medications Approved for use In Lactation WomenAcute Sinusitis - Amoxicillin+Clavulanate, Cefprozil, Co-Trimoxazole, Chlamydia - Erythromycin Gonorrhea - Ceftriaxone Herpes Simplex - Acyclovir Lyme Disease - Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone, Penicillin GMalaria -Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Quinidine, Quinine Salmonellosis - Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Co-Trimoxazole Tuberculosis - Cycloserine, Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampin, Streptomycin Medications to Avoid During Lactation Amiodarone, Antineoplastic Agents, Chloramphenicol, Ergotamine, Gold Salts, Lithium, Phenindione, Radiopharmaceuticals, Retinoids, Tetracyclines, Pseudoephedrine Additional information on taking drugs. You can also search by medications for the safety during breastfeeding (LactMed: National Library of Medicine Database. This is a government database that allows you to search by medications. toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen? LACT Contraception-Regular birth control pills (a combo of estrogen and progestin) can hurt the quality and quantity of your milk supply. It is better to go with a mini pill, progestin only. (You need to take the mini pill at the exact same time every day). However, don't use exclusive breastfeeding as a form of birthcontrol. You can still getpregnant. Other options can be IUDs, condoms, foam, diaphragms and cervical caps.Benedryl- This is an antihistamine, which seems to decrease milk production. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and Clomid (a fertility drug), are examples of medications that can decrease our milk productions. Acetaminophen, Tylenol, is considered safe. Amoxicillin is fine while breastfeeding, however, it may cause diarrhea. Claritonor Zyrtec, which are antihistamines, however, do not take an antihistamine thatis a sedative. Penicillinis fine while breastfeeding. Zithromax is fine while breastfeeding. Pseudoephedrine may cause a drop in milk supply. Zoloft-Dr. Thomas W. Hale says that it is the best choice for an antidepressent drugwhile breastfeeding.