| Drugs |
Suitability
for use in lactation |
Comments |
| *
There are additional nutritional requirements during lactation for
vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin C and
vitamin D. Vitamin tablets for nursing mothers are available. A
well-balanced diet should be encouraged.
* Use of megadose vitamin regimens should be avoided |
| Vitamin
A |
Vitamin
A (low dose - values up to UK reference nutrient intake - 950 mcg
retinol equivalents/day in lactating women |
Yes |
If
amount does not exceed the daily reference nutrient intake value |
| |
Vitamin
A (high dose, therapeutic use) |
No |
Increased
milk content.Risk of hypervitaminosis |
| Vitamin
B Group |
B1
- Thiamine
|
Yes |
Supplements
do not affect milk levels above a ceiling level |
| |
B2
- Riboflavine |
Yes |
Supplements
have little effect on milk levels in well nourished mothers |
| |
B6
– Pyridoxine(low dose - values up to reference nutrient intake
- 15mcg/g protein daily) |
Yes |
Supplements
improve milk content |
| |
B12
-Cyanocobalamin |
Yes |
Supplements
improve milk content |
| |
Folate |
Yes |
Increased
dietary requirement in lactation. Milk folate maintained at expense
of maternal reserves |
| Vitamin
C |
Vitamin C |
Yes
|
Supplements
have minimal effect on milk concentration |
| Vitamin
D |
Vitamin D (low dose values up to reference nutrient intake - 10mcg/day
in lactating women) |
Yes
|
Supplements
improve milk content |
| |
Vitamin
D (high dose, therapeutic use) |
No |
Increased
milk content.Risk of hypervitaminosis |
| Vitamin
E |
Vitamin E |
? |
Effect
of supplements on milk content unknown; Low dose supplements unlikely
to cause adverse effects |
| Vitamin
K |
Vitamin K |
Yes |
Supplements
have minimal effect on milk levels. Additional neonatal supplements
required to prevent haemorrhagic disease of the newborn |
