Pharmacology and Breastfeeding

Course Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

describe drug transfer into breastmilk
list at least 6 major influences on concentration of drugs in breastmilk
list at least 4 factors influencing risk of drug transfer and absorption by the infant
list at least 6 techniques to reduce drug transfer to the infant
identify the most commonly used drugs and herbal preparations that increase or decrease the production of breastmilk
identify drugs that are, or are not, compatible with breastfeeding
list the 8 most common types of contraindicated medications.
list at least 5 techniques to minimize the effect of environmental contaminants on breastmilk and infants
identify the risks of recreational and/or illegal drugs on the breastfeeding mother and or her infant
list at least 5 techniques to minimize the effect of recreational/and or illegal drugs on the infant.

Course Outline: 4 hours breaks not included
1. The factors influencing drug are transfer into breastmilk (60 min)

Simple diffusion,Mother's plasma level, Lipid solubility of the drug, Milk pH, Molecular weight, Maternal half-life of the drug

2. How to minimise the effect of maternal medications on the baby. (30 min)

Stage of Lactation, Age and maturity of the baby, Oral bioavailability, First pass clearance

3. Medications that play a role related to breastmilk production. (45 min)

4. Drugs contraindicated during lactation. (30 min)

Antineoplastic agents, Radiopharmaceuticals, Lithium, Tetracyclines, Retinoids, Chloramphenicol, Phenindione, Gold salts
NOT contraindicated but often thought to be - Metronidazole (Flagyl)

5. Environmental contaminants and breastmilk. (30 min)

6. The effect of recreational and illegal drugs on the breastfed baby. (45 min)

Total 240 minutes