Medical disorders in pregnancyFree in the app
Drugs and breastfeeding
Most drugs are safe. These are not.
Source: BNF · UKMEC · WHOAvoid or specialist decision
- Cytotoxics; radioactive iodine and other radiopharmaceuticals.
- Amiodarone; oral retinoids; ergot alkaloids.
- Codeine (contraindicated in breastfeeding).
- Lithium — specialist plan only.
- Combined hormonal contraception before 6 weeks after birth (UKMEC 4).
Safe and often used
- Paracetamol, ibuprofen, most antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides).
- Labetalol, nifedipine, enalapril, methyldopa.
- Insulin, metformin, levothyroxine, LMWH, warfarin.
- Sertraline; all usual asthma inhalers.
Hepatitis B and C are not reasons to stop breastfeeding (HCV: pause if nipples are cracked and bleeding).
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.