Safety in breastfeeding

Topics: Safety in Breastfeeding

All our training and guidance to help decision making about the use of medicines in breastfeeding.

Training resources for breastfeeding

Why breastfeeding is important and how pharmacy can help

4 December 2020Pharmacy professionals can help ensure breastfeeding can continue whilst medicines are used. We guide on how to undertake this role.

Questions to ask when giving advice on medicines and breastfeeding

4 December 2020Information should be gathered on both the mother and the infant. Questions are provided to help determine clinical details

Information resources for advice on medicines and breastfeeding

4 December 2020SPS and other resources can help pharmacy professionals give advice on use of medicines during breastfeeding

Advising on medicines during breastfeeding

4 December 2020Most medicines can be used throughout breastfeeding, in some cases further risk-reducing methods may be required

Defining the risks of medicines in breastfeeding

21 October 2020This article describes the features that support the risk classifications we assign to the use of medicines in breastfeeding

Advice and recommendations

Our recommendations seek to help you make a decision in an area where evidence is often sparse. Where possible, we base our advice on published literature. Where this is lacking we consider pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles; side-effect profiles; clinical use; expert advice and unpublished data. We advise based on UK practice and interpretation, and may therefore sometimes differ from other sources of information.

Our recommendations apply to full-term and healthy infants. If the infant was born prematurely, is unwell, or the mother is taking multiple medicines, contact us for further advice (SPS page).

In addition, we’re also currently modernising our material in this area to make it easier to use and understand. Feel free to contact us for further advice (SPS page) if you need help in the interim.

Considerations and interactions with GLP-1 receptor agonists

12 November 2025Signposting key risks and interactions of GLP-1 receptor agonists in diabetes, obesity, and weight management.

Using antipsychotics during breastfeeding

14 July 2025Quetiapine is the preferred second-generation, and haloperidol the preferred first-generation antipsychotic when breastfeeding full term, healthy infants.

Managing COVID-19 and breastfeeding

1 May 2025Continue breastfeeding during COVID-19 infection, even if dexamethasone, Paxlovid, sotrovimab or tocilzumab are required. COVID-19 vaccines can also be given.

Using antihistamines during breastfeeding

1 May 2025Guidance on continuing or initiating commonly used antihistamines whilst breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.

Using contrast agents during breastfeeding

11 April 2025Breastfeeding need not be withheld after commonly used amidotrizoate, barium, gadolinium or iodinated contrast agents. Applies to full term and healthy infants.

Using oral anticoagulants during breastfeeding

6 December 2024Warfarin is the preferred choice during breastfeeding; rivaroxaban or dabigatran may also be used. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Using paracetamol during breastfeeding

11 October 2024Paracetamol is one of the analgesics of choice for treating mild to moderate pain during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Using vitamin D during breastfeeding

30 August 2024Vitamin D can be used during breastfeeding; higher doses require infant monitoring. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants only.

Using domperidone for low milk supply

21 June 2024Domperidone can be used to treat low milk supply. However, this is only after thorough assessment and once non-medical interventions have been tried.

Using codeine, dihydrocodeine or tramadol during breastfeeding

18 June 2024Tramadol and dihydrocodeine can be used while breastfeeding for pain control. Codeine should not be used . Advice applies to full term, healthy infants.

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Get in touch

Breastfeeding Medicines Advice service

The specialist UKDILAS service from SPS provides evidence-based information and advice to healthcare-professionals on the use of medicines during breastfeeding