Can you take medicine while breastfeeding?
There is no single answer for every medicine. Tell both your own doctor and your baby’s doctor about prescriptions, over the counter products and supplements.
The short answer
Many medicines have little or no effect on milk supply or an infant, but some should be avoided. The right advice depends on the medicine and your baby. Ask a doctor or pharmacist who can consider your circumstances, and don’t change a prescribed medicine based on a general article.
There is no one answer for every medicine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most medicines have little or no effect on milk supply or infant wellbeing, although some should be avoided while breastfeeding. A general statement can’t tell you whether one particular medicine is suitable for you.
A doctor may consider why the medicine is needed, how it could affect milk production, how much may pass into milk, how a baby absorbs it, the baby's age and how much of the baby's feeding is breast milk.
Share the full list with your care team
Tell your own health professional and your baby’s doctor about prescription medicines, over the counter products, vitamins and herbal supplements. Include the product name, amount and how often you use it. A pharmacist can help direct you to advice for the specific medicine.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine maintains LactMed, a database that summarizes published information about medicines and chemicals during breastfeeding. It is a research resource, not a personal prescription or replacement for advice from a doctor who knows you and your baby.
Get advice for your baby before making a change
Don’t start, stop or change a prescribed medicine or feeding plan on the basis of a general web page. Ask the prescribing doctor, your baby's doctor or a pharmacist about the exact product and your baby's circumstances.
This article summarizes U.S. CDC and National Library of Medicine information. It doesn’t determine whether a medicine is safe for an individual parent or baby.
Sources and further reading
- CDC: Prescription medication use while breastfeeding
- CDC: Infant and toddler nutrition FAQs
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: LactMed
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.