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Date: | Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:40:25 -0500 |
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Here is what the Canadian equivalent of the PDR says about
metronidazole:
Metronidazole has been cited as a drug contraindicated during
lactation. This advice is based on reports that the drug is mutagenic
in bacteria and carcinogenic in rodents when taken throughout their
lives. Specific untoward effects in a nursing infant as a result of
metronidazole ingestion have not been reported. Without more direct
evidence of the harmful effects of short term use in humans it seems
overly conservative to withhold the drug or discontinue breastfeeding
in patients with symptomatic parasitic diseases (amebiasis, giardiasis
or trichomoniasis) for which metronidazole may be the treatment of
choice.
‹Drug Exposure During Lactation. Compendium of Pharmaceutical
Specialities. 1997. page L36.
The issue is, once again, does a small amount of metronidazole in the
milk render breastfeeding more hazardous than formula? The answer, in
my book is patently no, and breastfeeding is *still* better for mother
and baby.
Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
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