What medications prevent you from donating breast milk?

Understanding Medications That Affect Breast Milk Donation
Donating breast milk is a noble act that can provide essential nutrition to infants whose mothers may not be able to breastfeed. However, certain medications can prevent a mother from donating her milk, primarily due to concerns about the safety of the milk for the recipient infants.
Medications and Their Impact
The primary concern regarding medications and breast milk donation revolves around the potential transfer of drugs into the milk. While many commonly used medications are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers, there are specific categories of drugs that are contraindicated. These include:
1. Controlled Substances: Medications that are classified as controlled substances, such as opioids, can pose significant risks to infants. The potential for these drugs to cause sedation or respiratory depression in a nursing infant is a major concern.
2. Chemotherapy Agents: Mothers undergoing treatment for cancer with chemotherapy drugs are typically advised against donating milk. These medications can have harmful effects on a developing infant, and their presence in breast milk can be dangerous.
3. Certain Antidepressants and Antipsychotics: Some psychiatric medications may not be safe for breastfeeding. While many are deemed acceptable, specific drugs can have adverse effects on infants, leading to recommendations against donation.
4. Antibiotics: While many antibiotics are safe, some can lead to complications in infants, such as gastrointestinal disturbances or allergic reactions. Therefore, mothers on certain antibiotics may be advised to refrain from donating milk.
5. Herbal Supplements and Alternative Medicines: Many herbal products are not well-studied in terms of their effects on breastfeeding infants. Some can be harmful, and thus, mothers are often cautioned against using these while donating milk.
The Role of Milk Banks
Milk banks play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of donated breast milk. They require donors to disclose any medications they are taking, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, as well as any herbal supplements. This information is vital for assessing the safety of the milk for infants who will receive it. If a donor is taking any medication that could potentially harm a baby, the milk bank will typically advise the donor to suspend or stop their donations until it is safe to do so.
Conclusion
In summary, while many medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers, certain drugs can prevent a mother from donating breast milk due to the potential risks they pose to infants. It is essential for mothers considering donation to consult with healthcare providers and milk banks to ensure that their milk is safe for those in need. By being informed and cautious, mothers can help protect the health of vulnerable infants while contributing to a vital resource for families.

What medications disqualify you from donating breast milk?

Painkillers: paracetamol but not ibuprofen, aspirin, codeine, tramadol or dihydrocodeine (these may be in products to treat migraines or period pains. Drugs to treat asthma: blue or brown inhalers. If you need to take prednisolone stop donating until 24 hours after the course has finished.

What disqualifies you from donating breast milk near me?

You may be disqualified from donating breast milk if you:

• Have or are being treated for HIV, HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus), hepatitis B or C, or syphilis.
• Have a sexual partner who is at risk for HIV, HTLV, hepatitis B or C, or syphilis.
• Have used recreational drugs within the last year.

What medicine suppresses breast milk?

Two trials (107 women) reported that taking bromocriptine was better than no treatment in suppressing lactation in the first week after giving birth. The 11 trials using oestrogen preparations (diethylstilbestrol, quinestrol, chlorotrianisene, hexestrol) also showed suppression of lactation.

Who cannot donate breast milk?

In the past 12 months has had a blood transfusion, blood products, an organ or tissue transplant. In the past 12 months has had permanent make-up applied with non-sterile needles or an accidental hypodermic needle stick.

Can you donate breast milk if you’re on antidepressants?

What medications can I take and still be a milk donor? Prenatal vitamins, Tylenol, Advil, most allergy medications, several antidepressants, thyroid medications, and low dose estrogen birth control pills (prefer progestin only) are acceptable to take while pumping for the Milk Bank.

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

What do they test for when you donate breast milk?

There are three steps to becoming a milk donor: Verbal interview. Written questionnaire including form for health care provider. Blood testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV, and syphilis.

What are the requirements for donating breast milk?

Who Can Donate Breast Milk?

• Be in general good health.
• Undergo a free blood test.
• Provide at least 200 ounces of breast milk within a 6-month period.

What medications drop milk supply?

For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply. So please call us if you are breastfeeding and need clarification on the safety of a medication or to see if a medication you are taking may be affecting your milk supply while breastfeeding.

What drugs dont affect breast milk?

Medicines that can be taken while breastfeeding include:

• most antibiotics.
• asthma inhalers.
• vitamins (but only at the recommended dose)
• the painkiller paracetamol – you should check with a GP or midwife before taking paracetamol if it’s combined with other medicines.