Medicines in pregnancy, children and lactation
There is a wealth of information for us to use when considering medications prescribed for use in pregnancy, while breastfeeding and with children. It isn’t always easy to find this information in one place so we have put together guidance and links for you to use when making appropriate decisions with your patients.
The information and links provided are for guidance, clinical decisions remain the responsibility of the practitioner; the intention is to help prescribers find evidence based information and does not replace input from appropriate professionals or constitute medical advice for individual patients.
Please contact sam.morris2@nhs.net with any suggested edits, or any additional resources you feel would be useful to be shared as these documents will be reviewed when appropriate.
For infant feeding guidance, including cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) prescribing guidelines see our Infant Feeding page.
COVID-19 vaccination: women of childbearing age, currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
Five reasons to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you’re pregnant
Use of medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Use of medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding Guidance from the MHRA January 2021, updated August 2022
Please see individual formulary pages on medicines used in pregnancy and breastfeeding linked above for resources.
The BNF (British national formulary) should only be used as a guide as it does not contain quantitative data on which to base individual decisions, specialist resources including UKTIS, UKDILAS and the SPS should be used for evidence based information.
NICE PH11 Maternal and child nutrition page 41 Child health promotion
NICE NG194 Postnatal care page 27 to see the role of the healthcare professional supporting breastfeeding
Safer Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Consortium
The Safer Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Consortium brings together 16 leading organisations under a common pledge to meet the information needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women and healthcare professionals, through accessible, clear and consistent advice.
