[Otorhinolaryngologic diseases during lactation-which medications are compatible with breastfeeding?]

Wolfgang E Paulus1,2, Carolin Schwamborn3, Ulrike Friebe-Hoffmann4

  • 1Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland. paulus@reprotox.de.

HNO
|August 4, 2025
PubMed

Breastmilk is well established as the best source of nutrition for infants. Any interruption to breastfeeding comes with risks such as mastitis, decreased breastmilk supply, infant bottle refusal, and infant allergic reaction if formula is used. The majority of common medications used in general otolaryngology are safe for breastfeeding patients. Insufficient knowledge can lead to clinicians and patients alike being concerned about continued breastfeeding, resulting in interruption or cessation of breastfeeding. On the other hand, much-needed treatment is often withheld for fear of putting the infant at risk from contaminated breastmilk, which can disrupt the mother's wellbeing and, in turn, disturb a successful breastfeeding relationship. The aim of the present work is to present a structured "guideline for practice" pertaining to medication that can be used during lactation for treating medical conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.

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