Mother's Medicines

• It's best to take your drug at the end of a feeding
• Most commonly used drugs are safe: e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen, penicillins, erythromycin, cephalosporins, stool softeners, cough drops, nose drops, eyedrops, and skin creams.
• Avoid decongestants (pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine) because they reduce milk production in some mothers.
• Avoid aspirin because of a small risk for Reye's syndrome.
• Avoid sulfa drugs (Septra and Bactrim) until baby is 4 weeks old.
• Antihistamines for allergy symptoms are usually acceptable during breastfeeding. Non-sedating antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine) are preferred, given as needed once per day at bedtime. Avoid combination products with decongestants.
• Birth control pills can decrease your milk volume. Make sure that your milk supply is well established (6 weeks or more) before starting. Ask your doctor which birth control medication is best.
• For all other drugs, call your doctor.