Is Amfetamine compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Amfetamine?

Amfetamine

September 2, 2017 (High Risk)

A sympathomimetic drug and central nervous system stimulant, it has a similar action and uses to its isomer dextroamphetamine.
It is used in the treatment of narcolepsy (Wise, 2007) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and is also used as an illegal drug (Oei, 2012; Bartu, 2009).

It is excreted in breast milk, concentrating between 2 and 8 times more than in plasma (FDA, 2017; Steiner, 1984). This concentration, although it could be significant (Bartu, 2009), assumes a relative dose between 2% (Öhman, 2015) and 13.8% (FDA, 2017).

In infants whose mothers were taking amphetamine as narcolepsy treatment, low plasma levels (Öhman, 2015) and urine (Steiner, 1984) were measured and no problems were observed in the clinical follow-up of these infants (Öhman, 2015; Steiner, 1984).

There is little information on the impact of amphetamine abuse on the development and health of infants (Oei, 2012, Wise, 2007; Moretti, 2000), but it is known that they are more exposed to social problems, domestic violence, and lower breastfeeding rates (Oei, 2010).

To minimize the risk, it is estimated that 48 hours should pass after the last amphetamine-based recreational use, before breast-feeding (Bartu, 2009).

There is controversy over the possibly mild negative effect of amphetamine on prolactin (Petraglia, 1987; DeLeo, 1983), but milk production in mothers who took it therapeutically was not affected (Öhman, 2015).

During breastfeeding, the therapeutic use (narcolepsy, ADHD) of amphetamine can be assessed, using the lowest possible effective dose and monitoring the occurrence of irritability, insomnia, lack of appetite and weight loss.

Its use as an illegal drug is totally discouraged (Oei, 2012).


See below the information of this related product:

Alternatives

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Amfetamine Aspartate
  • Amfetamine Sulfate
  • Amphetamine
  • Levamfetamine

Writings

  • أمفيتامين (Arabic)
  • Амфетамин (Cyrillic)
  • 苯丙胺 (Chinese)
  • アンフェタミン (Japanese)
  • Amfétamine (French)
  • C9H13N (Molecular formula)
  • (R,S)-α-Methylphenethylamine (Chemical name)

References

  1. FDA. Amphetamine. Drug Summary. 2017 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Öhman I, Wikner BN, Beck O, Sarman I. Narcolepsy Treated with Racemic Amphetamine during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 2015Abstract
  3. Oei JL, Kingsbury A, Dhawan A, Burns L, Feller JM, Clews S, Falconer J, Abdel-Latif ME. Amphetamines, the pregnant woman and her children: a review. J Perinatol. 2012Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Oei J, Abdel-Latif ME, Clark R, Craig F, Lui K. Short-term outcomes of mothers and infants exposed to antenatal amphetamines. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2010Abstract
  5. Bartu A, Dusci LJ, Ilett KF. Transfer of methylamphetamine and amphetamine into breast milk following recreational use of methylamphetamine. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2009Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Wise MS, Arand DL, Auger RR, Brooks SN, Watson NF; American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Treatment of narcolepsy and other hypersomnias of central origin. Sleep. 2007Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Moretti ME, Lee A, Ito S. Which drugs are contraindicated during breastfeeding? Practice guidelines. Can Fam Physician. 2000Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Petraglia F, De Leo V, Sardelli S, Mazzullo G, Gioffrè WR, Genazzani AR, D'Antona N. Prolactin changes after administration of agonist and antagonist dopaminergic drugs in puerperal women. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1987Abstract
  9. Steiner E, Villén T, Hallberg M, Rane A. Amphetamine secretion in breast milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1984Abstract
  10. DeLeo V, Cella SG, Camanni F, Genazzani AR, Müller EE. Prolactin lowering effect of amphetamine in normoprolactinemic subjects and in physiological and pathological hyperprolactinemia. Horm Metab Res. 1983Abstract