Choosing the Right Prescribing Guide for Breastfeeding Patients

Breastfeeding presents unique challenges in pharmacology due to the potential transfer of drugs into breast milk and their effects on both the nursing infant and the lactating parent. Prescribing guides tailored for breastfeeding patients are invaluable tools for health care professionals, empowering safer and more effective prescribing practices. So which guide is best for you? Let’s explore.

Best Quick Reference for Prescribing During Pregnancy

Briggs Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk

Briggs contains drug information for both pregnancy and breastfeeding, making it a popular choice for prescribers and health care professionals that work with both patient populations. The ratio of pregnancy versus breastfeeding information is 5:1, making this resource the best for prescribing during pregnancy. Updated every 3 years, Briggs covers the most common drugs with a quick overview including six fields of information. With a retail list price over $130, this is sold as a print book that comes with an eBook on the publisher’s platform, though it is one of the more expensive options.   

Best for Evidence-Based Prescribing During Breastfeeding

Hale’s Medications & Mothers’ Milk and HalesMeds

Hale’s, available as a book or website/mobile application, is the best choice for those working with patients who are actively breastfeeding. It quickly and clearly provides the danger level for the infant with Dr. Hale’s world-renowned Lactation Risk Categories. Monographs feature detailed information for each drug, including alternatives where appropriate, and provide references so providers can see the evidence for each safety rating first-hand. Each monograph also contains categories of adult concerns and dosing, pediatric concerns, and infant monitoring, with helpful key points about breastfeeding and medications. The online/mobile app format, starting at $7.99 per month, is updated several times per year, while the print book, at $85, is updated every other year — making Hale’s the most current reference available. Hale’s also offers multi-user subscriptions for groups and institutions starting at $550.

Best Free Resource

LactMed®

For healthcare professionals seeking quick, basic answers who don’t need evidence or detailed information on each drug, Lactmed is a great option. This online resource provides a high-level overview of the details of each drug. Healthcare providers will need to review the full listing to make their own determination of the impact to the patient/client. While it does not include evidence or clinical tips, the information contained in this government funded option is peer reviewed, making it a great choice for professionals and organizations with small budgets or for those who infrequently encounter patients who breastfeed.

Optimal Outcomes

Prescribing medications to breastfeeding patients involves additional considerations to protect the health of both the mother and the baby. Given the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, from medical to financial and environmental, there are various resources available to ensure high-quality care while prioritizing continued breastfeeding in healthcare decision-making. These resources each offer unique advantages, and many healthcare providers opt to utilize all three to achieve the best outcomes.