Question

Discussion Forum:

What pharmacokinetic principles govern the passage of drugs into human milk? (Over the counter, prescription, recreational and illegal, botanicals/herbs.)

How does stage of lactation play a role?

What about aromatherapy, and homeopathy?

Be thorough and cite references. Tom Hale's book on drugs and human milk is a very good reference.

Answer 1

There are numnumer factors to consider when assessing the safety of drug in lactating women. Drug property faciliitating transfer into milk as well as the farmacokinetic properties of the drug in the mother and the infant must be evaluated. Drug property which promote low milk concenconcent are large volume of distribution, high protien binding, low lipid solubility ionization at psychological ph and large molecular wweigh. Following transfer iinto breast milk, drugs with lo bioavailability and short elimination half lives in neonates have improved safety.