LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for August 2000

The New England Journal of Medicine -- July 13, 2000 -- Vol. 343, No. 2

Title: Drug Therapy for Breast-Feeding Women
Author: Shinya Ito

Abstract: With the increasing rates of breastfeeding in the United States, there is greater concern for those mothers who need to take medications during this period. This article discusses how much of a drug is excreted into human milk, and whether there is an effect on the nursing baby. Current knowledge on many drugs and some non-medicinal compounds is given, including psychotropic, cardiac, thyroid, immunosupressant drugs, products of substance abuse, contrast mediums, etc. A list of drugs which require careful assessment of risk before being prescribed to nursing mothers is included, as is a Table listing Drugs of Choice for Breastfeeding Women. This article will assist health care providers in making accurate recommendations for medications for the breastfeeding mother, and help to eliminate the barrier that prevented a mother taking medication from continued breastfeeding unnecessarily.

CBI Keywords: Drugs: Lists, Psychotropic, Cardiac, Thyroid.