babygooroo » Drugs

FDA Unveils New Labels for Pregnancy, Breastfeeding

May 29, 2008 by Heidi Green | No questions or comments

Any woman who, when pregnant or breastfeeding, has had to talk to a doctor about medication (almost certainly asking “Will this hurt my baby?”) will be glad to hear this news. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to overhaul its rules ... (read more)

FDA Warns Breastfeeding Mothers About Cream

May 27, 2008 by Heidi Green | No questions or comments

If you are a breastfeeding mother who has experienced sore nipples and treated them (or sought to prevent them) by using a nipple cream, you may want to listen up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about one such popular ... (read more)

The Importance of Pediatric Research

May 20, 2008 by Pauline Lupercio | No questions or comments

We can thank human research for many medical advances, including vaccines, cures, and new treatments. But when it comes to pediatric research, researchers oftentimes struggle to find willing participants. Many parents simply are reluctant to allow their children to participate, fearing possible harm to their ... (read more)

Are Your Kid’s Meds FDA Approved?

May 19, 2008 by Pauline Lupercio | No questions or comments

When’s the last time you asked your doctor if the medication prescribed for your child is FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved? If you are like most parents, you probably fall into the 83 percent that believe their child’s last prescription was ... (read more)

Can Mothers Taking Antiepileptic Drugs Breastfeed?

April 23, 2008 by Amy Spangler | No questions or comments

Kim Meador, MD of the University of Florida and colleagues, in a study of 187 children of mothers being treated for epilepsy, found that infants and children exposed to commonly used antiepileptic medications via breastmilk had slightly higher cogninitive scores at two years ... (read more)

Searching for a Magic Bullet

February 12, 2008 by Amy Spangler | No questions or comments

Got milk, but not enough? You're not alone. As the number of breastfeeding mothers has increased, so too has the incidence of insufficient milk and along with it an increase in the use of galactagogues—substances that reportedly increase milk production. But do they ... (read more)

Alcohol and Breast Cancer

January 29, 2008 by Amy Spangler | No questions or comments

Researchers from Kaiser Permamente in Oakland, California presented evidence at the European Cancer Organization meeting in Barcelona suggesting that 1 or 2 drinks a day (wine, beer, or hard liquor) increase a woman's risk of breast cancer ... (read more)

Methadone Compatible With Breastfeeding

January 7, 2008 by Amy Spangler | 6 questions or comments

Researchers at John Hopkins University recently studied the effect of methadone on breastfeeding infants. Two groups of women undergoing methadone treatment for drug addiction were included in the study—one group breastfed the other formula-fed. On days 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, and ... (read more)

Can I Breastfeed After a Radiologic Procedure?

January 5, 2008 by Amy Spangler | 3 questions or comments

If I am breastfeeding and need to have a medical test that requires the use of radiocontrast material, can I continue to breastfeed? Do I have to pump and discard my milk? If so, for how long—hours, days, weeks? First the facts According to the ... (read more)

Handbook for Health Care Providers

December 21, 2007 by Amy Spangler | 2 questions or comments

Are breastfeeding and codeine compatible? Is it ever safe to drink alcohol while breastfeeding? What are the risks to the baby if the mother uses marijuana while pregnant or breastfeeding? If a woman continues to take an antidepressant during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, how will it affect ... (read more)

Sampling Babies: The Gold Standard

December 10, 2007 by Amy Spangler | No questions or comments

There is limited data on the safety of drugs during pregnancy and lactation. In part, because researchers, for ethical reasons, have been reluctant to study mother-infant pairs. In an effort to expand the knowledge base, the Food and Drug Administration's Pediatric Advisory Committee (PAC) recommends ... (read more)

Grandma Knows Best

December 5, 2007 by Pauline Lupercio | No questions or comments

Growing up, I remember my family treating coughs and colds with a little honey mixed with fresh-squeezed lemon. While I was never sure if it actually did any physical good, treating my adult colds with the same remedy seems to give me that ... (read more)

Medications » Drugs