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Please read the information on page 1 and page 2 of this section.
Taking
Medication
when
Nursing
Home
Last Updated
February 2, 2004
What should you know about taking medications when nursing?

What do the "Lactation Risk" categories mean?
How this listing is organized;
Other sources for checking medications

Med. Listing
Partial listing of:
Analgesics;
Anesthetics;
Antacids & Related Medications;
Acne - topical treatments
Med. Listing
Partial listing of:
Antibiotics;
Antidepressants & Antianxiety
Med. Listing
Partial listing of:
Antihistimines;
Antimigraine;
Asthma Meds, Bronchodilators, Intrapulmonary Steroids;
Antivirals;
Nasal Steroids;
Non-steroidal nasal sprays;
Contraceptives
Med. Listing
Partial listing of:
Decongestants; Expectorants; Diabetes meds; Diuretics; Cholesterol meds; Cough suppressants; Corticosteroids; Laxatives
Med. Listing
Partial listing of:
Muscle relaxants; Hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilizers; Thyroid meds
Med. Listing
Partial listing of:
Antidiarrheals;
Antiemetics/
Antinauseants;
Antihypertensives;
Antifungals;
Antipsychotics
L3 (Moderately Safe)
Isometheptene mucate (Midrin)
Naratriptan (Amerge)
Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
Sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex)
Zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT)
L4 (Possibly Hazardous)
Ergotomine tartrate (Wigraine, Cafergot, xxxErgostat, Ergomar, DHE45)
Antihistimines
Antimigraine
L2 (Safer)
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Cheracol)
Loratadine (Claritin)
L3 (Moderately Safe)
Brompheniramine (Dimetane, Brombay, xxxDimetapp, Bromfed)
Chlorpheniramine (Aller Chlor, Chlor-xxxTripolon, Chlor-Trimeton)
Cyclizine (Marezine)
Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
L1 (Safest)
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
Triprolidine (Actidil, Actacin)
L4 (Possibly Hazardous)
Clemastine (Tavist)
Tripelennamine (PBZ, Colrex, Tromide)
Antivirals
L1 (Safest)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
L2 (Safer)
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Famciclovir (Famvir)
L3 (Moderately Safe)
Amantadine (Symmetrel, Symadine)
Interferon Alpha-N3 (Alferon N, xxxInterferon Alpha)
Interferon Beta-1B (Betaseron)
Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
Penciclovir (Denavir)
Rimantadine HCL (Flumadine)
L4 (Possibly Hazardous)
Foscarnet sodium (Foscavir)
Ribavirin (Virazole, Rebetol)
Zanamivir (Relenza)
See also this information on antihistimines at Kelly's AP site.
Asthma Meds, Bronchodilators, Intrapulmonary Steroids
L1 (Safest)
Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
L2 (Safer)
Beclomethasone (Vanceril, Beclovent, xxxBeconase)
Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Isoetharine (Brokosol, Bronkometer)
Isoproterenol (Medihaler-Iso, Isuprel)
Lavalbuterol (Xopenex)
Nedocromil sodium (Tilade)
Pirbuterol acetate (Maxair)
Salmeterol xinafoate (Serevent)
Terbutaline (Bricanyl, Brethine)
L3 (Moderately Safe)
Dyphylline (Dilor, Lufyllin)
Flunisolide (Nasalide, Aerobid)
Fluticasone (Flovent, Cutivate)
Formoterol fumarate (Foradil Aerolizer)
Theophylline (Aminophylline, Quibron, xxxTheo-dur)
Zafirlukast (Accolate)
L4 (Possibly Hazardous)
Ephedrine (Vatronol Nose Drops)
Nasal Steroids
L2 (Safer)
Beclomethasone (Beconase)
L3 (Moderately Safe)
Budesonide (Rhinocort)
Fluticasone (FLonase)
Non-Steroidal Nasal Sprays
L1 (Safest)
Cromolyn sodium (Nasalcrom, Gastrocrom, Intal)
Contraceptives
    Any contraceptives containing estrogen should be avoided by nursing mothers.  Although a very few women do not see a drop in supply on estrogen-containing contraceptives, for most women, even small amounts of estrogen can negatively affect supply.  See also this information on breastfeeding and birth control at Kelly's AP site.