LactMed Database: Reliable Drug Safety Info for Nursing Mothers
When you're breastfeeding, every pill, supplement, or antibiotic you take matters—not just for you, but for your baby. That’s where the LactMed database, a free, science-based resource from the U.S. National Library of Medicine that tracks how drugs move into breast milk and affect infants. Also known as Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET) Lactation module, it’s the go-to tool for doctors, pharmacists, and moms who need clear answers about medication safety during breastfeeding. Unlike vague online advice or outdated pamphlets, LactMed gives you real data: how much of a drug enters breast milk, how long it stays there, and what side effects—if any—have been reported in nursing babies.
This isn’t just about avoiding danger. It’s about making smart choices. For example, if you’re prescribed azithromycin for an ear infection, LactMed tells you it’s safe in low amounts and rarely causes issues in infants. Same with loratadine for allergies or trazodone for sleep—both show minimal transfer and no known harm. But it also flags risks, like with certain antidepressants or chemotherapy drugs, so you and your doctor can weigh alternatives. It even covers herbal supplements and over-the-counter meds, which many assume are harmless but can still affect milk supply or infant behavior. The database doesn’t just list facts—it connects them. It shows how a drug’s half-life, protein binding, or molecular weight affects its presence in milk. It tells you when to time doses to minimize exposure. It even notes if a baby has a genetic condition that makes them more sensitive.
What makes LactMed different? It’s updated weekly, based on peer-reviewed studies, case reports, and clinical trials—not opinions or marketing claims. You won’t find it on Instagram or Facebook ads. You’ll find it in hospital pharmacies, pediatric clinics, and on the websites of major health organizations. And it’s free. No login. No paywall. Just direct, plain-language answers to the questions that keep new moms up at night: Is this safe? Should I pump and dump? Will my baby be okay? The posts on this page reflect that same practical, no-nonsense approach. You’ll see real comparisons—like how rivaroxaban works in kids, or why off-label use happens in pediatrics—because those are the same kinds of decisions moms face every day. Whether you’re managing postpartum depression with trazodone, treating a UTI with Bactrim, or worried about how your migraine meds affect your baby, the information you need is here. Below, you’ll find detailed guides on medications commonly used during breastfeeding, all grounded in the same science that powers LactMed. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know to keep both you and your baby healthy.
