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There are several references that have compiled data regarding
the safety of drugs given to breastfeeding mothers, including the following:
-
LactMed: A peer reviewed and fully referenced database of drugs to
which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed.
- Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession 6th ed. Ruth
Lawrence and Robert Lawrence.
Appendix D contains a summary table of the effect of maternal medications
on the breast fed infant.
(
Lawrence, 2005
p. 832-993).
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on Drugs and Breast Milk
(
AAP DRUGS, 2001
).
- Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation 7th ed. Briggs, Freeman and Yaffe.
(
Briggs, 2005
).
- Medications and Mothers' Milk. 13th Ed. 2008, Thomas Hale.
(
Hale, 2008
).
The "Physician's Desk Reference" (PDR), which is used by many people as a
source of information on drugs, is not a particularly good reference for the
effect of medications on lactation or on the breast fed infant.
For most drugs the PDR states that the drug has not been tested in
lactating women, (a true statement)
and consequently should not be given to lactating women.
While this is certainly a safe recommendation, it will result in many women
stopping breastfeeding unnecessarily.
In most cases, a physician can determine that a woman
may safely continue to breastfeed while taking the prescribed medication
by checking one of the references given above.
In 2008, The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has proposed major revisions to the labeling of prescription
drugs to provide better information on the effects of medications used by women during pregnancy and
breastfeeding. This project will be in process for the upcoming years.
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