Breast Milk and Medications
Questions frequently arise regarding the safety of breastfeeding when a mother is taking prescription medications or is considering an over-the-counter preparation. Fortunately, a wide variety of substances are compatible with breastfeeding.
If there is any doubt regarding safety, resources should be used to provide an evidence-based answer. Advising a cessation or interruption of breastfeeding should be limited to those situations where it is necessary and should not be used as a "safe" way to manage a lack of information.
Resources
- LactMed (a searchable database)
U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- The Transfer of Drugs and Chemicals into Human Milk
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Radiologic Contrast Media and Human Milk
American College of Radiology (ACR)