What drugs should a lactating mother avoid?

Understanding Medication Safety for Lactating Mothers
Breastfeeding is a vital aspect of infant care, providing essential nutrients and fostering a strong bond between mother and child. However, when it comes to medication use during lactation, mothers must navigate a complex landscape of safety and potential risks. Certain drugs can adversely affect both the mother and her breastfeeding infant, making it crucial to understand which medications to avoid.
The Risks of Medication Transfer
When a lactating mother takes medication, there is a possibility that the drug can transfer into her breast milk. The extent of this transfer depends on several factors, including the drug’s molecular weight, solubility, and protein binding characteristics. Generally, drugs that are poorly protein-bound and have a low molecular weight are more likely to be excreted into breast milk in significant amounts. This means that while many commonly used medications are considered safe, others can pose risks to the infant.
Medications to Avoid
1. Recreational Drugs: Substances such as cigarettes, marijuana, and other recreational drugs can be particularly harmful. These drugs not only affect the quality of breast milk but can also lead to developmental issues in infants.
2. Certain Prescription Medications: Some medications are known to suppress lactation or have adverse effects on the infant. For instance, oral contraceptive steroids and ergot derivatives can negatively impact milk production and should be avoided. Additionally, medications like pyridoxine (vitamin B6) have been flagged for potential adverse effects during breastfeeding.
3. Antidepressants: While many antidepressants are deemed safe, some, like fluoxetine, have been associated with adverse reactions in infants, including tremors and seizures. Mothers should consult healthcare providers to find safer alternatives if they require treatment for depression.
4. Antibiotics and Antivirals: Certain antibiotics and antiviral medications may also pose risks. For example, some antibiotics can disrupt the infant’s gut flora, leading to gastrointestinal issues. It’s essential for mothers to discuss the implications of any prescribed antibiotics with their healthcare provider.
5. Chemotherapy Drugs: These are generally contraindicated during breastfeeding due to their potent effects and the potential for severe side effects in infants.
The Importance of Consultation
Given the complexities involved in medication use during lactation, it is vital for mothers to engage in open discussions with healthcare professionals. The decision to use any medication should weigh the benefits for the mother against the potential risks to the infant. In many cases, alternatives or adjustments can be made to ensure both the mother’s health and the infant’s safety.
Conclusion
Navigating medication use while breastfeeding requires careful consideration and professional guidance. By being informed about which drugs to avoid and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers, lactating mothers can make safe choices that support their health and the well-being of their infants.

What drugs are not given in lactating mothers?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include: codeine phosphate. decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow. some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.

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.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for breastfeeding?

However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.

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.

Can a lactating mother take metronidazole?

Metronidazole and breastfeeding
It’s OK to take metronidazole while you’re breastfeeding. When metronidazole is taken by mouth, as suppositories, or injected, it passes into breast milk in fairly small amounts. It’s unlikely to cause side effects in your baby, but a few babies have had diarrhoea.

What drugs are unsafe while breastfeeding?

ANSWER: Only a few drugs pose a clinically significant risk to breastfed babies. In general, antineoplastics, drugs of abuse, some anticonvulsants, ergot alkaloids, and radiopharmaceuticals should not be taken, and levels of amiodarone, cyclosporine, and lithium should be monitored.

What medications should pregnant nurses not handle?

Hazardous medications include those for chemotherapy, some antivirals (aerosolized ribavirin, entecavir, valganciclovir), hormone agents (testosterone, misoprostol), and bioengineered drugs that interfere with cell growth or proliferation or with DNA synthesis.

Is it safe to take Zofran while breastfeeding?

Using Zofran for nausea isn’t usually considered a reason to stop breastfeeding. However, it may be wise to consider another drug that has been further researched, especially if you’re breastfeeding a newborn or preterm baby. Your healthcare provider can work with you to weigh the potential risks and benefits.

What decreases milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

Which opioid should be avoided in breastfeeding?

Because most people do not know if they are ultra-rapid metabolizers, and because early signs of opioid overdose in an infant may be difficult to notice, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with codeine or tramadol.