LactMed: Drug Safety in Breastfeeding and Pregnancy

When you're nursing or pregnant, every pill, patch, or spray matters. LactMed, a database developed by the National Library of Medicine that provides evidence-based information on drug use during lactation and pregnancy. Also known as the Drugs and Lactation Database, it’s the go-to tool for moms, doctors, and pharmacists who need to know if a medication is safe for baby or not. This isn’t just about avoiding harm—it’s about making smart choices so you can manage your health without putting your child at risk.

LactMed doesn’t just list drugs. It connects them to real-life outcomes. For example, if you’re on Prograf (Tacrolimus), an immunosuppressant used after organ transplants, LactMed tells you how much of it passes into breast milk and whether it affects infant immune function. Same goes for citalopram, an SSRI antidepressant—LactMed breaks down its cardiac risks and whether it’s linked to infant irritability or sleep issues. Even budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid used for asthma and colitis, has a detailed profile showing how little of it reaches the baby and what studies say about long-term growth.

What makes LactMed different? It doesn’t guess. It pulls from clinical trials, case reports, and peer-reviewed studies. You won’t find vague warnings like "use with caution." You’ll see exact numbers: how much drug enters milk, how long it stays, what symptoms to watch for in the baby. That’s why it’s trusted by pediatricians, OB-GYNs, and lactation consultants. It’s also why you’ll find references to it in posts about medication safety during pregnancy, like those covering immunosuppressants, antidepressants, and hormone therapies. These aren’t random articles—they’re all built on the same foundation: real data, not rumors.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your migraine pill, thyroid med, or anxiety drug is okay while breastfeeding, LactMed is the first place you should check. The posts below dive into specific drugs and situations—how they behave in your body, how they affect your baby, and what alternatives exist. Whether you’re managing asthma, depression, high blood pressure, or autoimmune disease, you’ll find clear, practical answers that help you decide what’s right for you and your child.