Medications in the breastfeeding mother

breastfeeding mother, breast feeding, drugs, medications
Information on Medication
Use During Lactation

Telephone information on the effects of medications in the milk of breastfeeding mothers is available from two national centers: The Lactation Study Center and The Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center. Web-based information is also available from two main centers: Dr T. Hale's Breastfeeding Pharmacology based at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

The Lactation Study Center, under the direction of Ruth Lawrence MD, is located at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. The Center has a computerized data base that can provide free information for professionals on drugs in breastmilk as well as computer searches on other lactation management and breastfeeding topics. Hours are 8am to 5pm (EST) Monday through Friday, (716) 275-0088. The Lactation Study Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York 14642. Donations are accepted.

Dr Tom Hale has developed a wonderful resource for professionals and mothers alike. Users can ask questions on the forums, can review previously asked questions and learn about the mechanism of how drugs get into breastmilk Dr Hale's books are also available on the web site. http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/

The National Library of Medicine has a new resource accessable to parents and professionals alike. ToxNet contains a database of hundreds of drugs and recommendations for their use during lactation. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

Other useful references are:

The transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk. AAP Committee on Drugs. PEDIATRICS Vol. 108 No. 3 September 2001, pp. 776-789. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;108/3/776

Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation, Briggs G, Freeman R, Yaffe S. 2005. Williams & Wilkins Publishers. Baltimore, MD.

The Journal of Human Lactation, Each issue contains a column called The Galactopharmacopedia.

Hale, Thomas. Medications And Mothers' Milk. 11th edition, 2004. Hale Publishing. ibreastfeeding.com

Nice, F. Nonprescription Drugs for the Breastfeeding Mother. 2007. Hale Publishing. ibreastfeeding.com

Hale, T. Ph.D. Clinical Therapy in Breastfeeding Patients. 1st edition, 2000. Hale Publishing. ibreastfeeding.com

Scialli, A. A Clinical Guide to Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology. Ch 8. CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL.

Please remember that this is general breastfeeding information only and does not replace the specific advice of a health care practitioner.