Doctors may consider prescribing medicines for breastfeeding women during the postpartum period. Breastfeeding women can use most medicines at the recommended dose safely. However, there are exceptions which necessitate caution. This article provides a list of reputable resources regarding the use of medications for breastfeeding women.

The Medicines Information Centres listed in the table below are helpful to provide current information about the use of medicines during breastfeeding (or pregnancy).

Mother’s Location Service Telephone (BH)
ACT 1300 MEDICINE 1300 633 424
NSW MotherSafe,
Royal Hospital for Women
Randwick
02 9382 6539 (Sydney Metro)

1800 647 848 (NSW country)

QLD 1300 MEDICINE 1300 633 424
SA Medicines Information Centre
Women’s and Children’s Hospital
08 8161 7555
TAS 1300 MEDICINE 1300 633 424
VIC Medicines Information Centre
Royal Women’s Hospital

Medicines Information Centre
Monash Medical Centre

03 8345 3190

03 9594 2361

WA Women & Newborn Health Services (KEMH) 08 6458 2723
All states & territories NPS Medicines Line (9 am-5 pm AEST) 1300 633 424

Poisons Information is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 13 11 26 (all states & territories)

Further reputable resources include:

  • Lactmed, a free online database with information on drugs and lactation aimed at health professional and the breastfeeding mother
  • Perinatology.com, a reference page with a number of links about drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Infant risk centre, a forum for questions from health professionals, but anyone can use the site as a guest

Finally, here are some links to research papers on the topic of medicines and breastfeeding: