Pauli,
Another alternative for bipolar disorder is tegretol (carbamazepine).
It is also an anticonvulsant but is also indicated for bipolar
disorder.  Carbamazepine is a much older drug than neurontin, so there
is more clinical experience with it's use in breastfeeding mothers.
Carbamazepine is rated as compatible with breastfeeding by the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
        In general, pharmaceutical companies are likely to be cautious in
recommending their products for breastfeeding mothers, firstly because
they would need to perform controlled studies on breastfeeding infants
exposed to the drug in order to declare it safe for that population
(obviously not an ethical thing to do) and secondly because it leaves
them open to potential litigation.  This is why the PDR is so negative
about most medications for bf moms, and why I am so grateful that Dr.
Hale keeps updating his book.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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