Updated January 31, 2025
Questions about over the counter or prescription medications while pregnant or nursing?
InfantRisk is a research center at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center dedicated to providing evidence-based information about medication safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their team, led by Dr. Thomas Hale, studies the transfer of drugs into breast milk and their potential effects on infants. They offer resources for healthcare providers and parents, including the InfantRisk Center hotline, which provides real-time guidance on medication safety, and the MommyMeds app, which helps parents look up drug safety information.
Call the Infant Risk Hotline Experts. Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm CT, (806) 352-2519
Lactmed is a database hosted by the National Institute of Health (NIH). Healthcare providers and families can search for medications and find the latest evidenced based information on the drug and lactation. Your healthcare provider can help interpret the information. See also: https://infantrisk.com/forum/forum/medications-and-breastfeeding-mothers
Trash the Pump & Dump – from IABLE – The Institute for Breastfeeding and Lactation Education
Trash the Pump & Dump is an initiative by IABLE (The Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education) aimed at dispelling myths about the need to “pump and dump” breast milk after a parent takes medication, drinks alcohol, or undergoes medical procedures.
MotherToBaby is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing evidence-based information about the safety of medications, vaccines, chemicals, and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As part of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), they offer free, expert guidance to both healthcare providers and the general public. Their services include a helpline for personalized risk assessments, a text and chat service for quick inquiries, fact sheets on various substances, and research studies focused on pregnancy and lactation safety. The goal is to help individuals make informed decisions about what is safe during these critical times.
e-lactancia is a Spanish-language online resource that provides evidence-based information about the safety of medications and other substances during breastfeeding. The platform offers a comprehensive database that helps healthcare providers and breastfeeding parents assess the potential risks of medications, chemicals, and environmental exposures for infants.
*Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any medications when breastfeeding.
