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SafeSafeSafeSafe MedicationsMedicationsMedicationsMedications duringduringduringduring BreastfeedingBreastfeedingBreastfeedingBreastfeeding
Although many drugs are safe to use when you're breastfeeding,
most will get into your milk to some degree and may even affect
your milk supply. To be safe, check with your child's doctor
before taking any kind of medication, even over-the-counter
drugs. The information in this table was compiled and reviewed
by Philip Anderson, a pharmacist and the editor of LactMed, the
U.S. National Library of Medicine's drugs and lactation database.
If you have more questions about how a drug you're taking
might affect your breast milk or your baby, check our pregnancy
warnings and breastfeeding warnings pages.
DrugsDrugsDrugsDrugs SafeSafeSafeSafe totototo TakeTakeTakeTake inininin UsualUsualUsualUsual DosesDosesDosesDoses
NameNameNameName ofofofofDrugDrugDrugDrug BrandBrandBrandBrand NameNameNameName UseUseUseUse
Acetaminophen Tylenol Used for pain relief
Acyclovirand valacyclovir Zovirax,
Valtrex
Antiviral for herpes
infections
Antacids Maalox,
Mylanta
Used to treat upset stomachs
Bupivacaine Marcaine A local anesthetic
Caffeine coffee, soft A stimulant
2
drinks
Cephalosporins Keflex, Ceclor,
Ceftin,
Omnicef,
Suprax
Antibiotics for lung, ear,
skin, urinary tract, throat,
and bone infections
Clotrimazole Lotrimin,
Mycelex
Used to treat yeast and
fungal infections
Contraceptives
(progestin-only)
Micronor,
Norplant,
Depo-Provera
Used for birth control
Corticosteroids Prednisone Used to treat inflammation
of joints and other
conditions
Decongestant nasal sprays Afrin Used to treat stuffy noses
Digoxin Lanoxin Used to treat heart problems
Erythromycin E-Mycin,
Erythrocin
Used for skin and
respiratory infections
Fexofenadine Allegra Antihistamine for allergies
and hay fever
Fluconazole Diflucan Used to treat yeast
infections
Heparinand LMW Used to keep blood from
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heparins clotting
Ibuprofen Motrin, Advil Used for pain relief
Inhalers, bronchodilators,
and corticosteroids
Albuterol,
Vanceril
Used for asthma
Insulin For diabetes; dosage
required may drop up to 25
percent during lactation
Laxatives, bulk-forming
and stool softening
Metamucil,
Colace
Used to treat constipation
Lidocaine Xylocaine A local anesthetic
Loratadine Claritin Antihistamine for allergies
and hay fever
Low molecular weight
heparins (enoxaparin,
dalteparin, tinzaparin)
Lovenox,
Fragmin,
Innohep
Anticoagulants
Magnesium sulfate Used to treat preeclampsia
and eclampsia
Methyldopa Aldomet Used to treat high blood
pressure
Methylergonovine(short
courses)
Methergine Used to prevent or control
bleeding after childbirth
Metoprolol Lopressor A beta-blocker used to treat
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high blood pressure
Miconazole Monistat 3 Used to treat yeast
infections
Nifedipine Adalat,
Procardia
Used for high blood
pressure and Raynaud's
syndrome of the nipple
Penicillins Amoxicillin,
Dynapen
Used to treat bacterial
infections
Propranolol Inderal A beta blocker used to treat
heart problems, and high
blood pressure
Theophylline Theo-Dur Used to treat asthma and
bronchitis
Tretinoin Retin A Cream used for acne
Thyroid replacement Synthroid Used to treat thyroid
problems
Vaccines (except smallpox and yellow fever)
Vancomycin Vancocin An antibiotic
Verapamil Calan, Isoptin,
Verelan
Used for high blood
pressure
Warfarin Coumadin Used to treat or prevent
blood clots
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DrugsDrugsDrugsDrugs ProbablyProbablyProbablyProbably SafeSafeSafeSafe inininin UsualUsualUsualUsual DosesDosesDosesDoses
Little is known about the effects of these drugs on a
breastfeeding infant, but if there is an effect, it will probably be
mild. In rare cases, a child has an allergic reaction.
NameNameNameName ofofofof
DrugDrugDrugDrug
BrandBrandBrandBrand NameNameNameName UseUseUseUse
ACE
inhibitors
Enalapril(Vasotec), Benazepril
(Lotensin)
Used to treat high blood
pressure
Anticholiner
gic agents
Pro-Banthine Used to treat intestinal and
gall bladder spasms; may
reduce milk supply
Anticonvuls
ants
Depakote, Dilantin, Tegretol
(avoid ethosuximide,
phenobarbital, and primidone)
Used for seizures and
mood disorders
Antihistami
nes
Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton May reduce milk supply
and cause infant
drowsiness or fussiness
Antitubercul
ars
INH Used to treat tuberculosis
Azathioprin Imuran Used to suppress the
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e immune system following
organ transplants
Barbiturates
(except
phenobarbit
al)
Fiorinal, Fioricet For sedation and tension
headaches
Bupropion Wellbutrin For depression
Clindamyci
n
Cleocin Used to treat abdominal
and vaginal infections
Oral
decongestan
ts
Sudafed, Entex PSE Used to treat congestion
associated with colds or
allergies; often reduces
milk supply
Ergonovine(
short
course)
Used to treat uterine
bleeding. May reduce milk
supply.
Fluconazole Diflucan Antifungal
Gadolinium Magnevist, Omniscan Contrast agent for MRI
studies
Haloperidol Haldol Used to treat psychosis
Histamine
H2 blockers
Cimetidine(Tagamet),
ranitidine (Zantac), nizatadine
Used to treat stomach
problems
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(Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid
- preferred)
Labetalol Normodyne, Trandate Used for high blood
pressure; caution with
preterm babies
Hydrochloro
thiazide(low
doses)
HydroDiuril Diuretic for high blood
pressure
Lorazepam Ativan Used to treat anxiety
Methimazol
e
Tapazole Used for hyperthyroidism;
less than 20 mg/day is
probably safe
Metoclopra
mide
Reglan Used for gastrointestinal
problems and to increase
milk supply
Midazolam Sedative used in anesthesia
Naproxen Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve Used for pain relief; okay
if baby is at least 1 month
old
Oxazepam Serax Used to treat anxiety
Paroxetine Paxil Used to treat depression
Phenothiazi Compazine(anti-nausea),
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nes Stelazine, Thorazine
(anti-psychotic)
Propofol Diprivan Sedative used in anesthesia
Propylthiour
acil(PTU)
Used to treat
hyperthyroidism
Quinidine Used to treat heartbeat
irregularities
Quinolone
antibacterial
s
Ciproand Levaquin; Noroxin
is preferred
Treatment of urinary tract
infections
Salicylates
(occasional
use)
Aspirin Used for pain relief
Sertraline Zoloft Used to treat depression
Spironolacto
ne
Aldactone, Aldactazide Used to treat high blood
pressure
Sumatriptan Imitrex Used to treat migraines
Tetracycline
s < 14 days
tetracycline, doxycycline Used to treat acne and
urinary tract infections
Trazodone Used for depression and
sleep
Tricyclic Elavil, Tofranil, Pamelor Used to treat depression;
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antidepressa
nts (avoid
doxepin)
nortriptyline preferred
Verapamil Calan, Isoptin, Verelan Used for high blood
pressure
Last updated: August 2008
http://www.drugs.com/drug-safety-breastfeeding.html
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