Medications and Breastfeeding
Many medications are safe for breastfeeding and alternatives are usually available for those that are not so it is unusual to have to stop breastfeeding due to a short term drug regimen. Thomas Hale, PHD is the foremost authority on medications and mothers milk and his book is vital for nursing mothers and health care professionals alike. This information is intended for reference only and is in no way to take the place of the individualized care of a qualified physician.
Some common medications which are approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers:
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, Erythromiacin, 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, Enalapril Maleate, Hydralazine, Labetalol, Metaprolol, Nifedipine, Propranolol, Sotalol, Verapamil
HYPERTHYROIDISM - Methimazole, Proprnolol, Propylthiouracil,
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Acute Sinusitis - Amoxicillin+ Clavulanate, Cefprozil, Co-Trimoxazole
Chlamydia - Erythromycin
Gonorrhea - Ceftriaxone
Herpes Simplex - Acyclovir
Lyme Disease - Amoxicilin, Ceftriaxone, Penicillin G
Malaria - Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Quinidine, Quinine
Salmonellosis - Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Co-Trimoxazole
Tuberculosis - Cycloserine, Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampin, Streptomycin
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE - Prednisone,
INSUFFICIENT MILK SUPPLY - Metoclopramide, Domperidone
LOW BACK PAIN - Acetaminophen, Codeine, Ibuprofen, Naproxen
MASTITIS - Cefazolin, Cephalexin, Clindamycin
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE - Fluoride, Vitamin D
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 - Trade names: Conray, Chlolebrine, Telepaque, Oragrafin, Bilivist, Hypaque, Gastrografin, Renovue-Dip, Angiovist, Optiray
RADIOACTIVE PROCEDURES - The following are approved with temporary cessation of breastfeeding: Technetium-99M Pertechnetate (pump and dump for 24 hours), Iodine 123 (pump and dump for 24 hours), Thallium 201 (pump and dump for 2 weeks)
RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON - Catopril, Methyldopa, Nifedipine, Terbutaline
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - Hydroxychloroquine, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Piroxicam, Prednisone
ROSACEA - Clindamycin lotion/gel, Erythromycin, Tetracycline (short term)
SEIZURE DISORDERS - Carbamazepine, Ethosuximide, Phenitoin, Valproic Acid
URINARY TRACT INFECTION - Trimethoprim
VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM - Warfarin, .
A list of drugs which are usually contraindicated in lactating women follows:
Amiodarone
Antineoplastic Agents
Chloramphenicol
Ergotamine
Gold Salts
Lithium
Phenindione
Radiopharmaceuticals
Retinoids
Tetracyclines (chronic use over three weeks may cause infant bone changes)
Pseudoephedrine (preliminary unpublished studies indicate inhibition of prolactin and milk production)
References: Clinical Therapy in Breastfeeding Patients, Thomas W Hale, PHD; Medications and Mother's Milk 10th Edition, Thomas W Hale, PHD
Taken from: http://www.lactationconnect.com