To :    Marilee:
Re :     Carbocaine, Novacaine, etc.

        Most of the local anesthetics are slowly absorbed from their tissue
sites,  and once in the plasma compartment are rapidly taken up "First-Pass"
by the liver.  Even if small amounts were to enter breastmilk,  the oral
absorption in the infant would lead to first pass uptake in the infants
liver, effectively reducing any overt side effects.  We have very little or
no information on transfer of these drugs into human milk,  but thus far
they have not been found to produce side effects.   I will try to find some
individual data on each of these to add to the next edition.


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To:  Judy Knopf:
Re : Spermicides

        With one exception,  the only spermicide currently used is
nonoxyl-9.   Used intravaginally,  it is slowly absorbed and is known to
produce small plasma levels.  One book suggests that in animals,  nonoxyl-9
has been found in neonatal animals who were breastfed.   I have been unable
to find any plasma kinetics for this compound,  and I will do a literature
study next week and let you know more about the systemic levels attained in
humans with this compound.



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T.W. Hale, Ph.D.
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