How long to wait to nurse after taking medicine

What medicines can I take while I'm breastfeeding?

Medicines that can be taken while breastfeeding include:

• most antibiotics
• asthma inhalers
• vitamins (but only at the recommended dose)
• the painkiller paracetamol – you should check with a GP or midwife before taking paracetamol if it's combined with other medicines

You should check with a GP or midwife before taking any other types of painkillers, such as ibuprofen.

You can use some methods of contraception and some cold remedies, but not all.

You can take some medicines used to treat postnatal depression, but always check with a GP, your midwife, health visitor or a pharmacist, who can advise you.

It's fine to have dental treatments, local anaesthetics, routine vaccinations (including MMR, tetanus and flu jabs) and most operations. Check with your GP if it's safe for you to have the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

Is there anything I cannot take while I'm breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you're breastfeeding include:

• codeine phosphate
• decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow
• some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them
• aspirin for pain relief
• herbal remedies – not enough is known about herbal remedies to guarantee they're safe to use when breastfeeding

Talk to a GP or pharmacist before taking antihistamines for allergies or allergy-related conditions, such as hay fever. Do not stop taking prescribed medicines without talking to your GP.

For more information:

• talk to your midwife, health visitor, a pharmacist or a GP
• check the drugs factsheets on The Breastfeeding Network website or email [email protected]

Illegal drugs and breastfeeding

It's dangerous to take illegal drugs while you're breastfeeding or, indeed, at any time.

They can affect your ability to look after your baby safely and can be passed on to your baby through your breast milk.

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Healthy Children > Ages & Stages > Baby > Breastfeeding > Medication Safety Tips for the Breastfeeding Mom

Ages & Stages

Medication Safety Tips for the Breastfeeding Mom

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​If you are breastfeeding and plan to take any kind of drug—whether prescription or over-the-counter—be sure to discuss with your doctor or your child's pediatrician. While many medications are safe during breastfeeding, a few can have serious side effects for you and/or your baby—and they are not necessarily the same ones that were most concerning during pregnancy.

What the AAP Recommends

Much is still unknown regarding long-term effects of various kinds of medications on your baby. For this reason, while you are breastfeeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends to take medication only when absolutely necessary, and to take the lowest dose for the shortest time possible. 

Is your medication short-acting or long-acting?

• When possible, use short-acting medications (those eliminated by your body quickly) rather than longer-acting medication. Short-acting medicines are best taken immediately after a nursing session, while longer-acting medicines should be taken just before your baby's longest sleep period. When a short-acting medication is taken immediately after a nursing session, there is a good chance that much of it will already be out of your body's system by the time your baby is ready to nurse again.

Watch for reactions in your baby:

• When taking any medication, watch closely for reactions in your baby, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, sleepiness, excessive crying, vomiting, or skin rashes. Call your baby's pediatrician immediately if any of these symptoms appear.

When to express and store your milk:

• If your doctor needs to prescribe a potentially harmful drug for a short time, you may express and store your milk until the medication is cleared from your body. The length of time required to clear the drug from your system varies based on the particular medication, but your doctor can advise you about this. Pumping and discarding breast milk exposed to medication is rarely indicated. It is recommended that you have a discussion with both your doctor and a lactation consultant prior to discarding any milk.

Birth Control

Frequent, exclusive breastfeeding (no water, juice, formula, solid foods, or other supplements for the baby), including at least one night feeding, may delay your chances of becoming pregnant during the first six months after birth. However, after about six weeks, especially if you are only partially breastfeeding, you can begin using contraceptives if your milk supply is firmly established. You should discuss the issue with your doctor.

• While there are no harmful effects on infants when mothers use birth control, research has shown that birth control pills with high doses of estrogen may decrease milk supply.

• Progestin-only pills (sometimes referred to as mini-pills) are least likely to interfere with breastfeeding, although they have increased side effects for the mother.

• Consider using condoms, a diaphragm, or a cervical cap and spermicide instead, since these forms of birth control are least likely to interfere with your milk supply.

Homeopathic & Herbal Medicines

While many homeopathic and herbal remedies are generally safe, some remedies may be harmful for breastfeeding women and infants. In many cases, very little scientific research has been done regarding the implications of using such treatments while nursing.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate homeopathic, herbal, or natural remedies. Therefore, there is no nationally approved oversight safety. When taken in large quantities, certain substances create negative effects such as increased blood pressure and reduced milk supply. It's safest to refrain from taking herbs or other homeopathic medications before discussing with your doctor first.  

If a homeopathic or herbal remedy must be taken, the same recommendations apply as with any other medication: take the smallest dose possible, and always take right after a nursing to minimize medication amounts in your breast milk.

Remember…

Always make sure that your doctor is aware of any medications you are taking while you are breastfeeding. Communication is important for optimizing the safety of both you and your baby.

Additional Information & Resources

• Birth Control and Breastfeeding

• Serious Illnesses and Breastfeeding

• Depression During & After Pregnancy: You Are Not Alone

• LactMed (National Library of Medicine) - A great resource and a free online database/mobile app with the most up-to-date information on which medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Article Body

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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