There are many medications that cannot be taken when breastfeeding. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication while you are also breastfeeding.
There are certain medications that, when taken by a nursing mother, can have an adverse effect on her baby. In some cases, these drugs may even pose a health risk to your child.
If you need to take any medication while you’re also breastfeeding, your doctor will likely recommend an alternative with the lowest risk to your baby.
Even if they do not recommend against it, they will almost certainly advise you not to begin taking the drug until after you’ve weaned your child and no longer produce milk.
Table of Contents
Antidepressants
There are many antidepressants that have not been shown to be safe for use while breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, it’s best to avoid certain antidepressants and antidepressants in general, including the following.
If you need an antidepressant while you’re breastfeeding, your doctor will likely recommend one of the following.
- SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They are considered a safe choice when breastfeeding, though they may cause less milk production.
- SNRIs: serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. They are also a safe choice while breastfeeding, but they may cause more milk production.
- TCAs: tricyclic antidepressants. They are the least safe choice for breastfeeding mothers, but your doctor might recommend one if the other options don’t work.
- Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. If you’re breastfeeding and need a benzodiazepine, your doctor will likely recommend one of the following.
- Diazepam. It is the safest choice for breastfeeding. It is also a long-acting drug, which means you only have to take it once a day.
- Clonazepam. It is also safe for breastfeeding mothers and is a short-acting drug that can be taken twice a day.
- Codeine and other narcotics. Codeine is a prescription pain reliever. There are a few different types of drugs that may be prescribed as a breastfeeding alternative to codeine.
- Fentanyl. A fast-acting and powerful opioid that is used for pain control and anesthesia. It is also used to prevent severe pain after surgery. It is not recommended to use while breastfeeding because it can pass through your breast milk.
- Hydrocodone. It is also an opioid and can be prescribed as a breastfeeding alternative to codeine.
- Hydromorphone. It is also an opioid and can be prescribed as a breastfeeding alternative to codeine.
- Oxycodone. It is also an opioid and can be prescribed as a breastfeeding alternative to codeine.
Narcotics plus antidepressants
It is not safe to take narcotics plus antidepressants while breastfeeding. Your doctor will likely recommend you avoid taking either while breastfeeding.
If you need to take both a narcotic and antidepressant, your doctor may recommend you pump your breasts and discard the milk for one to two weeks after taking the last dose of the drugs.
They may also ask you to take the drugs at a reduced dosage while breastfeeding.
- NSAIDs. Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are safe to take while breastfeeding, while others should be avoided. If you need to take an NSAID while breastfeeding, your doctor will likely recommend one of the following.
- Aspirin. It is the safest choice while breastfeeding and can be used to treat mild to moderate pain, as well as certain types of headaches.
- Diclofenac. It is also a safe choice. It is often prescribed as a topical ointment or suppository that is inserted into the vagina.
- Ibuprofen. It is also a safe choice.
- Naproxen. It is also a safe choice.
Conclusion
There are many medications that cannot be taken when breastfeeding. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication while you are also breastfeeding.
There are certain medications that, when taken by a nursing mother, can have an adverse effect on her baby. In some cases, these drugs may even pose a health risk to your child.
If you need to take any medication while you’re also breastfeeding, your doctor will likely recommend an alternative with the lowest risk to your baby. Even if they do not recommend against it, they will almost certainly advise you not to begin taking the drug until after you’ve weaned your child and no longer produce milk.
