Medication Use During Breastfeeding

General Guidelines

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that most medications are compatible with breastfeeding, and the benefits of breastfeeding often outweigh the risks of temporary medication use 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests consulting reliable resources like the LactMed database for specific medication information 3
It is generally recommended that the benefits of continuing breastfeeding outweigh the minimal risk of medication exposure through breast milk, especially with commonly used medications 4

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends using oxymetazoline nasal spray for no more than 3 days to avoid rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion), and breastfeeding can continue immediately after use 1
Due to minimal systemic absorption, breastfeeding can continue immediately after using oxymetazoline nasal spray, with no waiting period required 1

The American Society of Anesthesiologists considers acetaminophen a widely used and safe analgesic during lactation, with no waiting period required for breastfeeding 2
It is recommended to take the lowest effective dose of acetaminophen and consider using single-ingredient products when possible to minimize exposure to unnecessary medications 2

Extended use of oxymetazoline nasal spray for more than 3 days can lead to rebound congestion, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 1
Unnecessarily interrupting breastfeeding can disrupt the breastfeeding relationship and milk supply, and assuming all cold medications require pumping and dumping is not recommended 4