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Drugs and breastfeeding
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0
References
2019
Year
Pediatric FeedingBreastfeedingPharmacotherapyDrug ClassAdverse Drug ReactionMinor Adverse EffectsDrug MonitoringDrug ToxicityHealth SciencesDrug SafetyDrug InteractionsSevere Adverse EffectsMaternal HealthSide EffectNursingSubstance AbuseAddictionInfant NutritionPediatricsBreast MilkMedicine
(1) Report of severe adverse effects in infants from drugs passing into breast milk are rare. (2) Two reports of neurological disorders in infants due to doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, necessitating hospitalisation, serve as a reminder that this risk exists. (3) Epidemiological data are almost non existent. A prospective follow-up study of more than 800 breast-fed infants whose mothers were taking medicinal drugs showed minor adverse effects in 11% of the children (mainly diarrhoea, drowsiness and irritability). None of the mothers sought medical advice. (4) When a breast-feeding mother requires drug therapy, all available information should be weighed up before advising her to switch to bottle feeding.