Which medications are contraindicated for breastfeeding?

Understanding Medications Contraindicated for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often face the dilemma of managing their health while ensuring the safety of their infants. While many medications are considered safe during breastfeeding, certain drugs are contraindicated due to their potential risks to the nursing child. Understanding these contraindications is crucial for both mothers and healthcare providers.
Key Medications to Avoid
Several categories of medications are generally advised against during breastfeeding due to their potential to adversely affect infants. These include:
– Anticancer Drugs: Medications used in chemotherapy can have significant effects on a breastfeeding infant. These drugs can be excreted in breast milk and may pose serious health risks to the baby.
– Lithium: Commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, lithium can accumulate in breast milk and may lead to toxicity in infants.
– Oral Retinoids: These medications, often prescribed for severe acne, are known to cause birth defects and are also contraindicated during breastfeeding due to their potential harmful effects on infants.
– Iodine and Amiodarone: Both of these substances can affect thyroid function in infants. Amiodarone, a medication used for heart rhythm disorders, is particularly concerning as it can lead to serious side effects.
– Gold Salts: Used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts can also be harmful to breastfeeding infants and are therefore contraindicated.
– Ergot Alkaloids and Radiopharmaceuticals: These drugs, used for various medical conditions, are also not recommended for breastfeeding mothers due to their potential risks.
The Importance of Monitoring
For some medications, such as cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant), careful monitoring is essential if the drug must be used. While it is not outright contraindicated, the levels in breast milk should be closely observed to mitigate any risks to the infant.
Weighing Risks and Benefits
Healthcare providers often face the challenge of balancing the benefits of medication for the mother against the potential risks to the breastfeeding infant. A drug that is safe during pregnancy may not necessarily be safe during breastfeeding, highlighting the need for individualized medical advice.
Conclusion
In summary, while many medications can be safely used during breastfeeding, certain drugs pose significant risks and should be avoided. Mothers should always consult healthcare professionals before taking any medication to ensure the safety of both themselves and their infants. This careful consideration is vital in promoting the health and well-being of both mother and child during the breastfeeding period.

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.

Which antibiotic is contraindicated in breastfeeding?

Metronidazole. Metronidazole (Flagyl®) has been said to impart an unpleasant taste to the milk and cause the baby to reject it.

Which of the following is a contraindication to breastfeeding?

Examples include galactosemia, untreated HIV, untreated active tuberculosis, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 or II, uses illicit drugs, or mothers undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

What medications Cannot be given while breastfeeding?

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.
• aspirin for pain relief.

What is always contraindicated with breastfeeding?

The only true contraindications to breastfeeding are the following: Infants with classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency) Mothers, in the US, who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), untreated brucellosis, or suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease.

What drugs are contraindicated in 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.

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.

Which drugs cannot be taken when 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 is a contraindication in nursing?

(KON-truh-IN-dih-KAY-shun) Anything (including a symptom or medical condition) that is a reason for a person to not receive a particular treatment or procedure because it may be harmful.

Which of the following should be avoided by a lactating mother?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.