To think that medication should state clearly on the outside of the packet whether or not it is suitable for breastfeeding mums?

[Tubegirl]

This has come up a few times now since I have been pregnant/breastfeeding. I am aware that not all medicines are suitable in either situation. I am quite happy to read the leaflets that come with medication BUT, surely it would be better to have it on the outside of the packet nice and clear?

Two situations happened recently - the first happened when DD1 came back from contact with worms so we had to treat the whole family. DP gave me the tablet which I took without thinking - then suddenly had a panic and read the leaflet which of course stated in very small writing that I shouldn't have. I spoke to Dr on the phone who said IHO that it would be ok and mostly they write that because there is no specific research saying unequivocally it is ok (rather than that there is research that it definitely isn't ok). Anyway, there were no ill effects on DS and from then on I've been very careful about any medication.

This week I have major viral infection and feeling dreadful. I asked my dm to pick me up something to soothe my throat what was suitable for BF mother. She went to chemist and asked specifically and was told I could have strepsils. I took one and out of habit opened the leaflet and scanned through to find - sure enough - not recommended for breastfeeding mothers or women who are pregnant.

Surely this is a serious enough issue that pharmaceutical companies ought to do some specific research and ought to label the outside of the packet clearly. I mean - breastfeeding mothers are by their very nature sleep deprived and time poor, wouldn't this be so much better or am I being unreasonable?

I avoided lemsip (which said unsuitable) when I had a cold, but had honey and lemon and a paracetamol instead.
lemsip had something else in it that i'd+ never heard of, so i just took the active ingredients that i knew would help.

what about instead, a menthol sweet that is just menthol and sugar? like cough Candy? that would have the same effect as a strepsil, but you know there's nothing in it.
It's tough, because they just can't say what would and wouldn't be safe, unless they actually know from trials as said before.

Do t worry about my response, there is a big chance I didn't articulate well either! I feel your frustration because I have spent plenty of time searching boxes and packets to see if my diabetic husband can have certain drugs, so I'm probably feeling defensive of that because I think medical conditions would be more important to list than breastfeeding.

I understand that they can't put everything on the outer packaging, so the best thing to do is to buy medications from a pharmacy where there is a pharmacist you can ask. They know far more about drugs than doctors ime!

Some excellent points. I do love mumsnet, it really does help to hear other people's views. Thanks all.

No it's to complex a subject for a simple yes or no.

But the outside packaging should have a authoritative web address on the side so you can make an informed decision without opening it.

I BF DD2 for years and trace amounts of drugs in breastmilk are clearly very different in a tiny prem baby, a 5 month old baby drinking 24/7 just before weaning and a 5y feeding at night and on weekend mornings and weighing an order of magnitude more.

There is a very good web site quoted a lot on BF- bottle feeding threads if some kind person can link it.

(DD2 having finally stopped I've forgotten it.)

I'm guessing that since the thalidomide incident, all medications are automatically deemed unsuitable for pregnant women and bfing mothers unless they've specifically tested them. That would be an awful lot of boxes needing that info! So really it's easier for pregnant women and bfing mothers to assume that they can't take anything without checking with a doctor, pharmacist, or the breastfeeding network fact sheets first.

Here's that link again
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk-information-and-factsheets

noblegiraffe