In a message dated 10/29/96 11:37:45 AM, [log in to unmask]
(Automatic digest processor) wrote:

<< I attended a lecture given by Jane Colvin pharmacist, RWH, Melb.
Australia, and she suggested caution on the use, due to effect unknown effect
on infants. She commented that when it was given to animals ?mice it effected
their nerotransmission. If used to give it straight after a breastfeed and
avoid breast feeding for 3 hours, then use it only for 10-14 days. Could
someone comment on this please? Also it is known that after ceasing
metocopramide, the milk supply drops.>>

I'm curious about your pharmacists' remarks about Reglan.  There is a
pediatric dosage for this drug, and it is commonly given to infants in my
part of the U.S. for regurgitation problems. If the risks were as great as
she implies, I'm not sure that we would be using it on infants as the risks
would seem to outweigh the potential benefits.

The real risk, I have personally concluded, is more for the mother, as longer
term use (I've seen this interpreted as >3 weeks to >3 months) carries a high
risk of induced depression in the mother.   Secondary concerns are the
rebound effect that you describe;  it appears to be most useful in cases such
as the preemie mom whose supply merely needs a boost, after which baby takes
over and sustains supply. In other cases such as induced lactation, results
have not been as consistent.

-Lisa Marasco, BA, LLLL, IBCLC