Is This Medication Safe for Breastfeeding Mothers?
October 18, 2006 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under books, breastfeeding basics, health of the mother, medication
The book pictured here saved me when I was diagnosed with postpartum Graves’ Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism) and my endocrinologist said I needed to wean my baby before I could start the medication he recommended. I called a La Leche League leader and she looked up the medication in Hale’s Medications and Mothers’ Milk. Based on that reference, it appeared that the medication was safe for nursing mothers at the dosage prescribed for me. Just to be sure, I called my daughter’s pediatrician and also asked my pharmacist. Finally, I consulted three sources on-line regarding medications and breastfeeding:
1. The American Academy of Pediatrics article “Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals into Human Milk” available on-line here (scroll down to click on the article title to open it, then consult the appropriate table for the particular medication).
2. Dr. Hale’s breastfeeding and medications forum located here (note: you do not need a username and password to browse the existing posts. Only professionals such as lactation consultants, LLL leaders, physicians, pharmacists and other medical professionals may register and post new questions).
3. Kellymom.com’s collection of resources on “Is This Safe When Breastfeeding?” located here. Kellymom.com also has a message board here where anyone can register and post “is this safe when breastfeeding” questions.
[4. Don't forget about the free on-line reference LactMed!]
Having done my homework about the recommended drug, I returned to the doctor and shared the literature with him. He agreed to prescribe the medication. Even still, at each subsequent appointment he continued to ask me if I’d weaned my baby. Each time I would calmly yet firmly reply, “No, I plan to continue nursing.”
I cannot imagine compounding the stress of being diagnosed with a serious illness with having to wean suddenly. In my case, it would have been unnecessarily traumatic for both me and my baby. I don’t advocate going against medical advice, but I do advocate getting a second opinion and arming oneself with all available information. Thank goodness I persisted and was able to nurse happily for months after that.
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3 Responses to “Is This Medication Safe for Breastfeeding Mothers?”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] To learn more about breastfeeding, hyperthyroidism, and taking medication while breastfeeding, visit Breastfeeding 1-2-3. [...]
[...] I tested the site by looking up a few medications including the anti-thyroid medication one doctor told me I could not take while nursing. I was very impressed by this resource. I particularly like the feature that suggests alternate drugs to consider. I also like that PubMed links are provided for any studies cited. [...]
[...] The first time I was told to wean was by my (now fired) endocrinologist who told me that I should wean while taking a particular anti-thyroid medication. With the help of a La Leche League leader, I presented that doctor with information about the low lactation risk for that medication from the reference book Medications and Mothers’ Milk and he grudgingly “allowed” me to continue nursing. When I later developed elevated liver enzymes on that medication (unrelated to breastfeeding), he again recommended that I wean and take radioactive iodine to kill my thyroid (which, by the way, would mean that I could not hold or kiss my child for at least five days afterwards so as not to expose her to radioactivity!) I found a new endocrinologist willing to treat me on an alternate anti-thyroid medication at a dose that was compatible with breastfeeding and did not affect my liver enzymes. [...]