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UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service
Risk classification
The compatibility of drugs with breastfeeding has been assessed through a combination of risk to the breastfed infant and the quality/volume of evidence available. Drugs have been assigned to one of three categories which are defined as:
NO
- Serious adverse effects have been reported, or are considered possible, in a breastfed infant.
- Lactation could be compromised because of an impact on milk production.
CAUTION
- Minor and/or reversible adverse effects have been reported, or are considered possible, in breastfed infants, but which are not
considered to pose an unacceptable risk to the infant.
- Insufficient evidence of the amount of drug excreted into breast milk.
- Insufficient evidence, or experience of use in practice, to guarantee safe use with breastfeeding.
- Use of a medicine is conditional on risk-reducing actions being taken, e.g monitoring the infant, delaying breastfeeding after a
maternal dose, using a lower-risk formulation etc.
YES
- Levels in milk are sufficiently low, or predicted to
be low because of the drug’s properties, that they would not present an
appreciable risk to the infant..
- Substantial clinical experience of the drug has not indicated any risks.
- The medicine is in clinical use in young infants at doses significantly exceeding those which would be ingested through breast milk.
SEEK ADVICE
- Use of this drug requires an assessment of potentially complex issues, including an assessment of risk and safety in individual cases.
For example, the drug may normally be used in combination with other drugs which may present additional risks to those posed by
the drug alone. This would apply to the treatment of HIV infection or cancer in breastfeeding mothers, although other therapy areas
may also fit these criteria.
To seek advice in these situations contact one of the UKDILAS specialist centres:
Alternatively, contact a clinical specialist in the area concerned.
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