So they are using the worst source of information about the medication then!? The AAP says the worst source of information is the PDR or the packaging that comes with the medication. This is only the pharmaceutical company covering its behind and has nothing to do with reality. Never use this as a source. This source also says that prenatal vitamins are not safe to take while breastfeeding. This isn't information, this is about them not getting sued. Tell your radiologists to follow their own governing body's policies. Do you really think it's a coincidence that the company that tells you that you can't take any medications is the same company that sells baby formula? Why would they recommend that you don't buy their formula? Corporations don't do things that make them lose money. For the life of me, I also never understand why doctors or pharmacists think that they have to 100% assure mothers that there will never be any side effects or adverse events if they take this medication, but for every other patient in the world we have a risk vs. benefit discuss. Apparently our brains shut off when we are lactating and we can't make any logical, informed decision or take any personal responsibility...  It is known how much of Omnipaque is excreted in milk. The company doesn't care to tell you that and increase their liability or reduce their formula sales. 



Here's a sample of hospital policy that does it right:



http://radiology.yale.edu/patientcare/policies/breastfeeding.aspx



Yale is the place that built the first X-ray machine in the USA, so they are not exactly slouches. In a quick search I found at least 5 major medical centers that have similar policies. Tell your people to get with the times. There is no excuse at this point. This has been the position of ACR for 15 years.



Tricia Shamblin, RN, IBCLC









>I work at a hospital in Washington, DC and had a discussion with the radiologists about this. They understand the literature from ACR, but one radiologist pointed out that the actual package instructions that accompany Omnipaque, a frequently used contrast media, are not as explicit. The instructions state: 



Nursing Mothers

It is not known to what extent iohexol is excreted in human milk. However, many injectable contrast agents are excreted unchanged in human milk. Although it has not been established that serious adverse reactions occur in nursing infants, caution should be exercised when intravascular contrast media are administered to nursing women. Bottle feedings may be substituted for breast feedings for 24 hours following administration of OMNIPAQUE.



Unfortunately, until the packaging materials are more explicit, radiologist pay prefer to operate in CYA mode. If something did happen to the infant and a mother received contrast media, not sure radiologist would be legally covered if he advised mom to continue breastfeeding, even in light of ACR recommendations.



Alex Walker, BSN, RN, IBCLC





Confidentiality Notice:  This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information.  Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.



             ***********************************************



Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html

To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]

Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]

COMMANDS:

1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail

2. To start it again: set lactnet mail

3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet

4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome