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UK
Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service
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Laxatives
| Drugs |
Suitability
for use in lactation |
Comments |
| Agents
that are non-absorbable or poorly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal
tract e.g. bulk-forming agents, faecal softeners or osmotic agents
are preferred. Use of standardised senna in moderate doses and for
short periods is acceptable if other measures fail. |
| Bulk
formers |
Isphaghula
|
Yes |
Not
absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract |
| Methyl
cellulose |
Yes |
| Sterculia |
Yes |
| Stimulant
laxatives |
Bisacodyl |
Yes |
In moderate dose for short periods
Prefer other
laxatives as above |
| Docusate
sodium |
Yes |
| Senna(standardised) |
Yes |
| Sodium
picosulphate |
Yes |
| Faecal
softeners |
Arachis
Oil
|
Yes |
Minimal
absorption from the gastrointestinal tract |
| Docusate |
Yes |
| Glycerol
suppositories |
Yes |
| Osmotic Laxatives |
Lactulose |
Yes |
Minimal
absorption from the gastrointestinal tract |
| Magnesium
salts |
Yes |
| Phosphate
(rectal) |
Yes |
| Sodium
Citrate (rectal) |
Yes |
Drugs
classified with '?' should be used with caution and only after an assessment
of benefit to the mother versus risk, real or potential, to the infant.
These drugs either have insufficient clinical data on their use in lactation
to regard as absolutely safe or they have had minor, reversible side effects
reported in a breast-fed infant.
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