Medicines and breastfeeding: assessing the risk of medicines to infants

Abstract

Milk, in addition to its undeniable nutritional and immunological benefits, is an important element for the development of the infant. Warnings, sometimes exaggerated, may prevent the mother and child from enjoying the benefits of both breastfeeding and appropriate medication. This approach is justified by the total absence of investigations on the excretion of drugs in breast milk during clinical trials. The actual risk was evaluated by several classifications; an estimate of the passage of drugs into milk and estimation of infant exposure to the drug are possible and can provide a reliable indicator to better judge the risk to the infant generally we are faced with two different situations: a new treatment during lactation or maintenance treatment already prescribed during pregnancy. If treatment needs to be prescribed for a long period of breastfeeding, a strategic approach is required