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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

An Efficient Single-Person Technique for Milk Sampling from Laboratory Mice
Published on: March 28, 2025
[Anaesthetics and breast feeding]
Hassan Z Khiabani1, Olav Spigset
1Avdeling for legemiddelbruk, Statens legemiddelverk, Sven Oftedals vei 6, 0950 Oslo. hassan.khiabani@legemiddelverket.no
Most anesthetic drugs pass into breast milk after maternal procedures. This review examines anesthetic excretion into breast milk and its potential effects on infants, guiding decisions on breastfeeding post-anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology and Pharmacology
- Lactational Pharmacology
Context:
- Many women require anesthesia during childbirth or lactation.
- Anesthetic agents are frequently lipophilic, leading to excretion into breast milk.
Purpose:
- To summarize current knowledge on anesthetic drug excretion into breast milk.
- To evaluate the potential effects of these drugs on suckling infants.
- To provide guidance on the safety of breastfeeding after anesthetic procedures.
Summary:
- Lipophilic anesthetic drugs are commonly excreted into breast milk following maternal administration.
- The transfer and potential impact of anesthetics on the nursing infant are critical considerations.
- Evidence regarding the safety of breastfeeding post-anesthesia is reviewed to inform clinical practice.
Impact:
- Informs clinical decision-making regarding breastfeeding recommendations after maternal anesthesia.
- Enhances the understanding of drug transfer from mother to infant via breast milk.
- Contributes to the safe management of anesthetic procedures in breastfeeding mothers.
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