Page Content
- Does naloxone pass through breast milk?
- What drugs can pass through a mother’s breast milk and harm a nursing baby?
- What is the safest opioid in breastfeeding?
- Is it okay to breastfeed while on Suboxone?
- What drugs don’t go into breast milk?
- How much Suboxone is in breastmilk?
- Is it safe to take Suboxone while breastfeeding?
- Can mothers on Suboxone breastfeed?
- How soon after narcotics can you breastfeed?
- How can I reduce my baby’s exposure to drugs in breast milk?
Understanding Suboxone and Breastfeeding
The question of whether Suboxone, a medication commonly used to treat opioid addiction, is passed through breast milk is crucial for nursing mothers who are undergoing treatment. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, and its implications for breastfeeding have been the subject of various studies and expert opinions.
Minimal Transfer to Breast Milk
Research indicates that the transfer of Suboxone into breast milk is minimal. According to health experts, breastfeeding while on buprenorphine/naloxone is generally considered safe for infants. The concentration of the medication in breast milk peaks approximately 15 to 30 minutes after the mother takes it, but the amounts are significantly lower than therapeutic doses that would be administered directly to infants .
Safety for Infants
The consensus among medical professionals is that the risk to infants from breastfeeding while on Suboxone is low. The amounts of buprenorphine that pass into breast milk are much less than the doses that are known to be safe for infants. This suggests that mothers can continue breastfeeding without significant concern for their baby’s health.
However, it is essential for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to ensure that their specific circumstances are taken into account. Each case may vary based on the mother’s health, the dosage of Suboxone, and the overall well-being of the infant.
Conclusion
In summary, while Suboxone does pass into breast milk, the transfer is minimal and generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Mothers on Suboxone should engage in open discussions with their healthcare providers to navigate their treatment and breastfeeding effectively, ensuring both their health and that of their child are prioritized.
Does naloxone pass through breast milk?
Naloxone is excreted into milk in very small amounts and is not detectable in the plasma of breastfed infants because of its very poor oral bioavailability. Routine use of naloxone in combination products is of no concern during breastfeeding.
What drugs can pass through a mother’s breast milk and harm a nursing baby?
Drugs
- If you use amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine or heroin, you should not breastfeed for 24 hours after use.
- If you smoke cannabis or tobacco you should breastfeed your baby before you smoke, and smoke outside and away from the baby. Do not have your baby in the same room as the smoke.
What is the safest opioid in breastfeeding?
Buprenorphine can be used with caution in breastfeeding for pain, but infant monitoring is still required. Morphine is preferred.
Is it okay to breastfeed while on Suboxone?
Suboxone and breastfeeding
Suboxone contains two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. These drugs are both thought to be safe to take during breastfeeding. However, if you’re taking Suboxone and breastfeeding, it’s important to watch your child for side effects such as: excessive sleepiness.
What drugs don’t go into breast milk?
Table. Examples of drugs contraindicated in breastfeeding.
| Drug | Comment |
|---|---|
| Iodine | High doses (>150 micrograms daily) lead to risk of infant hypothyroidism |
| Lithium | Breastfeeding only feasible with rigorous monitoring |
| Radiopharmaceuticals | Contact obstetric information service |
| Retinoids (oral) | Potential for serious adverse effects |
How much Suboxone is in breastmilk?
The amount of buprenorphine or Suboxone® excreted in breast milk is very small and unlikely to have any adverse effect on your baby. If you plan to stop breastfeeding your baby, you will need to do so slowly and with support from your maternal and child health nurse (MCHN).
Is it safe to take Suboxone while breastfeeding?
Suboxone and breastfeeding
Suboxone contains two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. These drugs are both thought to be safe to take during breastfeeding. However, if you’re taking Suboxone and breastfeeding, it’s important to watch your child for side effects such as: excessive sleepiness.
Can mothers on Suboxone breastfeed?
Suboxone and breastfeeding
Suboxone contains two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. These drugs are both thought to be safe to take during breastfeeding. However, if you’re taking Suboxone and breastfeeding, it’s important to watch your child for side effects such as: excessive sleepiness.
How soon after narcotics can you breastfeed?
A breastfeeding plan
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.
How can I reduce my baby’s exposure to drugs in breast milk?
Timing of feeds
- give the mother’s dose immediately after the infant has been fed with the aim of avoiding feeding at peak milk concentrations; or.
- withhold breastfeeding until after a suitable washout period of the medicine. This is most appropriate for short courses of a hazardous medicine.
