Vol 40, (9) 684-690
Breastfeeding - Evidence based guidelines for the use of medicines
Lisa H Amir MBBS, MMed, PhD, IBCLC, FABM, is Medical Officer, Breastfeeding Education and Support Services, Royal Women’s Hospital, Senior Research Fellow, Mother & Child Health Research, La Trobe University and Lecturer, Centre for Women’s Health, Gender and Society, University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Marie V Pirotta MBBS, FRACGP, PhD, is Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria
Manjri Raval BHSc, PGDipPH, MPH, is Senior Research Assistant, Mother & Child Health Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria and a medical student, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland.
Background General practitioners may consider prescribing medicines for breastfeeding women during the postpartum period. Most medicines can be used safely during breastfeeding at the recommended dose, however there are exceptions that necessitate caution.
Objective This article provides an evidence based review of medicines used for common situations and their compatibility with breastfeeding.
Discussion Breastfeeding women typically use relatively few medicines, and generally these are compatible with breastfeeding. If other medicines are required, information on their safety during breastfeeding can be accessed from pharmacy departments at maternity hospitals or from online resources.
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Breastfeeding - Evidence based guidelines for the use of medicines
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AFP Audio: Interview with Lisa Amir
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