According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) and other medical experts, most medications have little or no effect on milk supply or on infant well-being. However, there are a few medicines that mothers should not take during lactation and it is important to make sure any medicine you are needing or considering is ok to use while breastfeeding.
The references linked below are available for anyone to access. Please know that our lactation consultant and medical providers are here to help families understand any risks and benefits that may need to be considered on an individual basis.
- LactMed® Drugs and Lactation Database- From the US National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Library of Medicine (NLM), this free database provides scientific information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding parents may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and the possible side effects in the nursing infant.
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Infant Risk Center- From the Texas Tech University Health Science Center, headed by Dr. Thomas Hale, PhD who is considered one of the world’s experts in the field of perinatal pharmacology. This extensive resource provides a toll-free hotline in addition to numerous articles, a Q&A forum, apps, and research participation opportunities.
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MotherToBaby- a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), is the nation’s leading authority and most trusted source of evidence-based information on the safety of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This no-cost resource is available to health professionals and the general public via fact sheets, chat, text, phone, and email in both English and Spanish.
