It is much better to have one or two good resources rather than “tons” of places to go to. Too much is actually counterproductive.
So, where can we easily get reliable information about risks associated with breastfeeding while on a particular medication?
LactMed is a free online database with information on use of medications during lactation. It is run by the National Library of Medicine. We can search the database to get a nice summary of reliable information on the use of a particular medication during lactation. The link is:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK501922/#IX-V
LactMed includes information on:
– Medication levels in breast milk
– Medication levels in the infant
– Potential effects on the breastfeeding infant
– Potential effects on lactation
– American Academy of Pediatrics category regarding the level of compatibility of the drug with breastfeeding
– Alternative medications to consider
According to the LactMed website, “LactMed was developed by a pharmacist who is an expert in this subject. Three other recognized authorities serve as the database’s scientific review panel.”
Here are more good things about the LactMed website:
– A peer review panel reviews the data
– It is updated monthly
– It also provides some additional resources like links related to breastfeeding.
Related Pages
Pregnancy and psychotropic medications: Online Resources
Pregnancy registries
Tips on using lithium during pregnancy
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