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we consider pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles; side-effect profiles; clinical use; expert advice and unpublished data.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.

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 if you need help in the interim.

Using gastrointestinal antispasmodics during breastfeeding

8 March 2024Hyoscine butylbromide, propantheline or peppermint oil are preferred choices during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Treating insomnia during breastfeeding

8 March 2024Zopiclone and zolpidem are preferred for the short-term management of insomnia during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Treating heartburn and dyspepsia during breastfeeding

5 March 2024Antacids, alginates, H2-receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors can be used during breastfeeding. Recommendations are for full term and healthy infants.

Using penicillin antibiotics during breastfeeding

16 February 2024All penicillin antibiotics can be used during breastfeeding with precautionary infant monitoring. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants.

Using benzodiazepines during breastfeeding

15 February 2024Lorazepam and oxazepam are the preferred benzodiazepines during breast feeding, if clinically appropriate. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants.

Using nitrofurantoin during breastfeeding

6 February 2024Nitrofurantoin can be used during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Using NSAIDS during breastfeeding

2 February 2024Ibuprofen or diclofenac are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) of choice. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Using heparins during breastfeeding

19 January 2024Low molecular weight heparin and unfractionated heparin can be used during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants only.

Treating herpes virus infections during breastfeeding

12 January 2024Aciclovir or valaciclovir can be used during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

Using metronidazole during breastfeeding

22 December 2023Metronidazole can be used during breastfeeding for most usual treatment courses. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants.
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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