Avoiding risk at what cost? Putting use of medicines for breastfeeding women into perspective

Abstract

Breastfeeding women often need to take medicines, and therefore health professionals need to consider the effects of medication on lactation and the breastfed infant, and any associated risks. This commentary discusses the tragic case of a young woman with a history of mental illness who committed suicide in the postpartum period. She was determined to be a 'good mother' and breastfeed, and to avoid any potential adverse effects of medication on her breastfed infant. The final outcome was fatal for both mother and child. We argue that if women require medication during lactation, all risks need to be considered – the risk of not treating the maternal medical condition may greatly outweigh the potential risk to the breastfed infant.

Medicines' management: a public health problem on nursing's agenda

“…Following the thalidomide disaster, surveillance for congenital anomalies has improved (Mitchell ), but there is insufficient work on the impact of prescribed medicines on breastfeeding (Amir et al . ).…”

“…Timeframes and remoteness from point of administration are further extended for transgenerational adverse effects. Following the thalidomide disaster, surveillance for congenital anomalies has improved (Mitchell 2003), but there is insufficient work on the impact of prescribed medicines on breastfeeding (Amir et al 2012).…”

Separation of magnesium and lithium from brine using a Desal nanofiltration membrane

“…Lithium, as the lightest metal in nature, is used in batteries, lubricants, refrigerants, ceramics, medicines, and fusion, which has attracted much attention [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In recent years, although global economy has suffered, the performance of the lithium industry is still outstanding.…”

It's time for pharmacists to increase their support for breastfeeding

“…Yet, women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding – which we think of as the ‘maternal body’ – often need to take medications to manage their acute or chronic conditions. Tragically, in extreme cases, the lack of medicines can even be fatal for mother and child …”

“…Tragically, in extreme cases, the lack of medicines can even be fatal for mother and child. 5 Two papers in this issue of the Journal focus on the use of medicines during pregnancy and lactation. This information needs to be integral to the training of pharmacy students, 6 and to the continuing education programs.…”