What drugs are not safe while breastfeeding?

Understanding Drug Safety During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial period for both mother and child, and many mothers find themselves needing medication for various health issues. However, the safety of these medications during breastfeeding is a significant concern. While most commonly used drugs are considered relatively safe, there are specific medications that pose risks to breastfed infants.
Commonly Used Medications
Research indicates that the majority of medications taken by breastfeeding mothers result in minimal exposure to the infant. The amount of drug that passes into breast milk is generally much lower than the doses that are deemed safe for direct administration to neonates and infants. This means that many mothers can continue their necessary medications without significant risk to their babies.
Drugs Contraindicated During Breastfeeding
Despite the overall safety of many medications, a few are known to pose clinically significant risks to breastfed babies. These include:
– Chemotherapy Agents: Drugs used in cancer treatment can be harmful to infants and are typically contraindicated during breastfeeding.
– Radioactive Isotopes: These can pose serious health risks and should be avoided.
– Certain Antidepressants: Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may not be safe, depending on the specific medication and the infant’s age.
– Illicit Drugs: Substances such as heroin and cocaine are highly dangerous and can severely affect an infant’s health.
Guidelines for Medication Use
Healthcare providers often emphasize the importance of consulting with a doctor before taking any medication while breastfeeding. The decision to use a particular drug should weigh the benefits for the mother against the potential risks to the infant. For instance, while some over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen are generally safe, others may require caution.
Special Considerations
For mothers who use illicit drugs, even sporadically, it is crucial to take precautions. For example, if a mother uses substances like amphetamines or heroin, she should express and discard her breast milk for at least 24 hours post-use to minimize the risk to her baby.
Conclusion
In summary, while many medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers, a select few can pose significant risks to infants. It is essential for mothers to engage in open discussions with healthcare providers about their medication needs during this critical time. By doing so, they can ensure both their health and the well-being of their breastfeeding child.

What happens if you breastfeed with drugs in your system?

There is still a lot we don’t know about the effects of drugs on your baby when you are breastfeeding but it’s thought that, even at low levels, taking drugs is likely to: make your baby drowsy, feed poorly and have disturbed sleep patterns and poor weight gain. cause behavioural problems.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

Is there anything to avoid while breastfeeding?

Avoiding certain foods, such as garlic, onions or cabbage, might help. Remember, there’s no need to go on a special diet while you’re breastfeeding. Simply focus on making healthy choices — and you and your baby will reap the rewards.

Which drugs cannot be taken when breastfeeding?

Medications and Substances That Should Not Be Taken While Breastfeeding

• Amphetamines.
• Chemotherapy drugs.
• Chloramphenicol (an antibiotic)
• Radioactive substances used for diagnostic procedures.
• Illicit drugs such as , heroin, and phencyclidine (PCP)
• Medications that may suppress milk production.

What should you not do while breastfeeding?

What foods and drinks should I limit or avoid while breastfeeding?

• Alcohol. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby.
• Caffeine. Avoid drinking more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeinated drinks a day.
• Fish. Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

When is it not safe to breastfeed?

Women who actively use drugs or do not control their alcohol intake, or who have a history of these situations, also may be advised not to breastfeed. Infants who have galactosemia—a rare metabolic disorder in which the body cannot digest the sugar galactose—should not be breastfed.

What are 5 disadvantages of breastfeeding?

• There can be discomfort involved with breastfeeding.
• You may leak milk at times that are inconvenient or embarrassing.
• Feeding your baby in public may be more difficult.
• Everything you consume is being passed on to your baby.
• You need special clothing and bras for breastfeeding.

What medications dry up the breast milk supply?

Remember, there are also many medications that can reduce your milk supply. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply.

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.

What passes through breast milk?

Almost any drug that’s present in the blood will transfer into breast milk to some extent. Most medications do so at low levels and pose no real risk to most infants. There are exceptions, though. Some drugs can be found in high levels in breast milk.