Can opioids be transferred through breast milk?

Understanding Opioid Transfer Through Breast Milk
The question of whether opioids can be transferred through breast milk is a significant concern for new mothers who are prescribed these medications. The transfer of drugs into breast milk is a complex process influenced by various pharmacokinetic factors, including the drug’s clearance rate and the mother’s dosage.
Opioids and Their Transfer to Infants
Research indicates that opioids can indeed pass from a breastfeeding mother to her infant through breast milk. The extent of this transfer varies depending on the specific opioid used. For instance, medications like oxycodone have been shown to cause sedation in breastfed infants, which can escalate to severe central nervous system depression in rare cases. This highlights the potential risks associated with maternal opioid use during breastfeeding.
Pharmacokinetic Principles at Play
The pharmacokinetic principles suggest that the lower the clearance rate of a drug, the higher the potential dose that an infant may receive through breast milk. This means that opioids with lower clearance rates are more likely to result in significant exposure for the breastfeeding infant. Consequently, healthcare providers often assess the safety of maternal drug therapy by estimating the levels of drug exposure that the infant might experience.
Guidelines and Recommendations
Despite the risks, many health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, advocate for breastfeeding among mothers who are on opioid agonist therapy, such as methadone or buprenorphine. These medications are considered to have minimal transfer into breast milk, making them safer options for breastfeeding mothers. However, it is crucial for mothers to be counseled about the potential risks and to monitor their infants for any signs of sedation or adverse effects.
The Importance of Individual Assessment
The decision to breastfeed while on opioids should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific medication, the mother’s health status, and the infant’s needs. While many mothers can safely breastfeed while using prescribed opioids, those who are ultrarapid metabolizers or who have other complicating factors may face increased risks. Therefore, ongoing communication with healthcare providers is essential to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
In conclusion, while opioids can be transferred through breast milk, the degree of risk varies by medication and individual circumstances. With proper guidance and monitoring, many mothers can continue to breastfeed safely while managing their pain with opioids.

Can opioids get into breastmilk?

Yes. If you take opioids, your milk will have opioids in it. The amount that is in your milk depends on how much you take, which opioid you take and the amount of time that has passed since taking it. Opioids levels are at their highest in your milk 1-3 hours after taking them.

Does oxycodone transfer to breastmilk?

Oxycodone and breastfeeding
Although only small amounts of oxycodone pass into breast milk, it may still cause side effects in your baby such as breathing problems, being very sleepy, or difficulty feeding. Because of this potential risk, your doctor may recommend a different painkiller while you’re breastfeeding.

Can anything be passed through breast milk?

Three viruses (CMV, HIV, and HTLV-I) frequently cause infection or disease as a result of breast-milk transmission.

Can hydrocodone pass through breast milk?

Moderate dosages of hydrocodone appear acceptable during breastfeeding, but more data are needed to determine the maximum safe dosage for nursing mothers. Neonates and preterm infants may be more susceptible than older infants to adverse effects of hydrocodone and its metabolites in breast milk.

What drugs can be passed through breast milk?

Most drug molecules, including alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, are small enough to enter milk. Exceptions are drugs with high molecular weights such as heparins and insulin.

Are narcotics safe while breastfeeding?

If you do use drugs such as amphetamines or heroin as a one-off, you will need to express your breast milk in the 24 hours afterwards and throw it away before you breastfeed again. After using drugs, it is not safe for you to care for or breastfeed your baby.

Can you breastfeed with morphine in your system?

Morphine and breastfeeding
Your doctor may also recommend a different painkiller for you to use while breastfeeding. Morphine passes into breast milk in fairly small amounts, although the amount does vary. When taken at low doses and for a short time, it is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby.

How long does oxycodone stay in breastmilk?

Conclusions: Oxycodone is concentrated in human breast milk up to 72-h post-partum. Breastfed infants may receive > 10% of a therapeutic infant dose. However, maternal oxycodone intake up to 72-h post-CS poses only minimal risk to the breast-feeding infant as low volumes of breast milk are ingested during this period.

Do opioids pass into breastmilk?

The transfer of medications into human milk is a complex process and, although the vast majority of opioid use while breastfeeding occurs without incident,3,15,16 several cases of severe toxicity and death have been reported.

Can things be transmitted through breast milk?

For some new parents, concerns about breastfeeding revolve less around their babies’ physical condition than their own. Since some infectious diseases can be passed on to the baby through human milk, you will certainly want to discuss your medical history with your doctor and your baby’s pediatrician.