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Lamotrigine and Breastfeeding

Brandi - posted on 10/22/2010 ( 1 mom has responded )

19

14

I was placed on Lamotrigine for several reasons, but told I would have to stop breastfeeding completely. After a week and a half on it, I recieved a call from my local Lactation Consultant asking if I was still bf. I told her about being on the Lamotrigine and she did some digging. It's an L3 drug and in the book she was referencing (Medications an Mothers' Milk 2008) she said there was very minimal risk. She sent me the paperwork and... Well it gives me no reason not to stop. I did call my pediatrician as asked her opinion and she said she wouldn't risk it, and that stopping breastfeeding my son now shouldn't be an issue since he can drink whole milk. I almost got the impression that she wasn't impressed that I was still breastfeeding.

I was wondering if anyone else had any opinions? It tears me up inside that I'm not still breastfeeding. I really would like to continue but I'm unsure.

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Minnie - posted on 10/22/2010

7,075

9

There are very few medications that one should not breastfeed while taking. Thomas Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk is your most reliable source of current and accurate information regarding breastfeeding and drugs.



I imagine that it must be horrible not being able to nurse your baby. Would it help to weigh the very very small risk of medications in your milk vs. the known risk of formula-feeding your little one?



In the entry from Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk several studies were conducted regarding breastfeeding and this medication and no adverse effects were reported in the infants in any of the studies. The authors of one study recommend that the infant be monitored periodically for plasma levels of lamotrigine.

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