Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles said that taking medications in general does not contradict breastfeeding, noting that most safe drugs during pregnancy are also safe during breastfeeding.
The hospital explained that the amount of active substances that are transferred to breast milk are small, due to the different paths of arrival of active substances, during pregnancy, the active substances reach the fetus through the bloodstream and the placenta, while it reaches it during breastfeeding through breast milk, knowing that the path of arrival of active substances through breast milk is less directly than the path of its arrival through the placenta. Therefore, many medications can be taken during breastfeeding safely.
The generally safe drugs during breastfeeding include the following:
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants such as selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIS)
- Blood pressure medications
- Antihistamines
- Pain analgesics
Although some active substances are not harmful to the child, they reduce milk production. This applies, for example, to the drug “podium”.
In general, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication with breastfeeding.