To the Editor: Although many medicines transfer into breast milk, the amount received by the breastfed infant is usually low, with minimal risk to the infant.1 Because medicines are not tested on breastfeeding women, product information often states that the safety of use during lactation is unknown. This may lead to over-caution in prescribers, who may incorrectly advise women to stop breastfeeding during courses of medication.2 Even brief interruptions to breastfeeding can lead to complications, such as mastitis or breast refusal.1,2
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This study was supported by a grant of $5000 from the Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University. We thank the other members of the research team: Swee Wong (Director, Pharmacy Department, RWH, Melbourne); and Jeanne Daly and Hiranya Jayawickrama (Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University).