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we consider pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles; side-effect profiles; clinical use; expert advice and unpublished data.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
29 January 2024Hyoscine butylbromide, propantheline or peppermint oil are preferred choices during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.
Treating opioid dependence during breastfeeding
1 August 2023Methadone is the preferred choice of treatment for opioid dependence during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
Using oral or parenteral corticosteroids during breastfeeding
17 July 2023Corticosteroids can be used during breastfeeding. Use the lowest dose and duration possible. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants only.
Using inhaled or topical corticosteroids during breastfeeding
17 July 2023All topical and inhaled corticosteroids can be used while breastfeeding; there is no preferred choice. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants only.
Using antiplatelet medicines during breastfeeding
7 July 2023Antiplatelets can be used with caution in breastfeeding. Avoid exposure to aspirin if infant has a fever. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants.
Using nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) in practice
30 June 2023Support for prescribing decisions in people on interacting medicines, those with swallowing difficulties, renal impairment, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Using beta-blockers during breastfeeding
2 June 2023Labetalol, metoprolol or propranolol are the beta-blockers of choice during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
Using calcium-channel blockers during breastfeeding
2 June 2023Nifedipine and verapamil are the calcium-channel blockers of choice during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
Using strong opioid analgesics during breastfeeding
26 May 2023Morphine is the strong opioid analgesic of choice for treating pain in breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
Using angiotensin-II receptor antagonists during breastfeeding
11 May 2023Very limited data suggest breastmilk levels are likely to be low, but other medicine classes are preferred. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants.
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