Medications and Breastfeeding

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For the majority of prescription drugs, only a small amount of medication enters the milk
It is very rare that a mother would need to avoid the pharmacological benefits of a medication to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding to take a medication

If the drug does not get into the blood it cannot get into the milk
- Example: eye drops

Some drugs do not get into the milk:
- Heparin (prevents blood clotting)
- Interferons (used for many illnesses)
- Ketorolac (short-term pain relief)
- Diazepam (anti-anxiety medication)

Some drugs can get into the milk, but the baby does not absorb the drug:
- Pantoprazole (used for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD))
- Some antibiotics
  - Gentamycin
  - Vancomycin

Some drugs are present in such low levels in the mother’s milk because the drug is mostly present elsewhere in the body:
- Antidepressants
  - Citalopram
  - Sertraline

Consider the Following Before Taking Medications While Breastfeeding:

Use the safest medication
- Some medications have alternatives that are safer for use while breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take medications to minimize the effects on your baby
Watch for potential side effects in your infant
- Fussiness
- Rash
- Changes in feeding or sleeping

Medications Have Less Impact on Breastfed Babies Who Are:

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