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| SPECIALIST ANSWERS
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Question |
A mother is taking Verapamil and Amadarone for PSVT.Can she breast feed her baby?If so what should be looked for in the baby?Can it cause Hypothyroidism and if so when?
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Answer |
Amiodarone excretion into milk varies from person to person. Nursing infants might ingest up to 50% of the maternal dose (on the basis of weight). Also, amiodarone contains large amounts of iodine that could affect infants thyroid glands. If the decision is made to continue therapy while breastfeeding, the drug should be monitored in breast milk and infant plasma, as should the infant's thyroid function.
The WHO Working Group on Drugs and Human Lactation has classified verapamil as compatible with breast-feeding. However, Inoue et al. (1984) recommended not using the agent while breastfeeding because the hearts of infants may be more susceptible to the pharmacologic effects of verapamil.
ref:
McKenna WJ, Harris L, Rowland E, Whitelaw A, Storey G, Holt D. Amiodarone therapy during pregnancy. Am J Cardiol 1983;51(7):1231-3.
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