Safe Medications During Breastfeeding
Medications
Obie Editorial Team
| Generic Name | Used for | |
| Accutane | For severe acne | |
| For pain relief | ||
| Acyclovir and Valacyclovir | Antiviral for herpes infections | |
| Ambien | For difficulty sleeping and insomnia | |
| Antacids | Used to treat upset stomachs | |
| Bupivacaine | A local anesthetic | |
| Caffeine | Stimulant | |
| Celexa (Citalopram) | For depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions | |
| Cephalosporins | Antibiotics for lung, ear, skin, urinary tract, throat, and bone infections | |
| Clomiphene (Clomid) | Promotes ovulation | |
| Clotrimazole | Used to treat yeast and fungal infections | |
| Contraceptives (progestin-only) |
Used for birth control | |
| Corticosteroids | Used to treat inflammation of joints and other conditions | |
| Decongestant nasal sprays | Used to treat stuffy noses | |
| Digoxin | Used to treat heart problems | |
| Used for skin and respiratory infections | ||
| Fexofenadine | Antihistamine for allergies and hayfever | |
| Fluconazole | Used to treat yeast infections | |
| Heparin and LMW heparins | Used to keep blood from clotting | |
| Ibuprofen | Used for pain relief | |
| Used for asthma | ||
| Insulin |
For diabetes; dosage required may drop up to 25 percent during lactation | |
| Laxatives, bulk-forming, and stool-softening | Used to treat constipation | |
| Lexapro (Escitalopram) | Anti-depressant (SSRI) | |
| Lidocaine |
A local anesthetic |
|
| Lithium | For manic depression and bipolar disorder | |
| Loratadine | Antihistamine for allergies and hay fever | |
| Low molecular weight heparins (enoxaparin, dalteparin, tinzaparin) | Anticoagulants | |
| Magnesium sulfate | Used to treat preeclampsia and eclampsia | |
| Methyldopa | Used to treat high blood pressure | |
| Methylergonovine (short courses) | Used to prevent or control bleeding after childbirth | |
| Metformin | For type 2 or adult-onset diabetes | |
| Metoprolol | A beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure | |
| Miconazole | Used to treat yeast infections | |
| Nifedipine | Used for high blood pressure and Raynaud's syndrome of the nipple | |
| Penicillin | Used to treat bacterial infections | |
| Propranolol | A beta blocker used to treat heart problems, and high blood pressure | |
| Theophylline | Used to treat asthma and bronchitis | |
| Tretinoin | Cream for acne | |
| Thyroid replacement | Medication to treat thyroid problems | |
| Vaccines (except smallpox and yellow fever) | Improve immunity to/prevent a particular disease | |
| Vancomycin | Antibiotic | |
| Verapamil | High blood pressure medicine | |
| Warfarin | Prevents blood clots |
