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Review
. 2008 Dec;54(12):1689-90.

Methadone exposure during lactation

Miguel Marcelo Glatstein  1 , Facundo Garcia-Bournissen, Yaron Finkelstein, Gideon Koren
Affiliations
Review

Methadone exposure during lactation

Miguel Marcelo Glatstein et al. Can Fam Physician. 2008 Dec.

Abstract
in English, French

Question: One of my patients is currently using methadone for maintenance of opioid dependence. She wants to breastfeed. Is breastfeeding safe for her infant?

Answer: The exposure of infants to methadone through their mothers' breast milk is minimal. Women using methadone for treatment of opioid dependence should not be discouraged from breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding largely outweigh any theoretical minimal risks.

QUESTION: Une de mes patientes prend présentement de la méthadone pour la prise en charge de la dépendance aux opiacés. Elle souhaite allaiter son bébé. Est-ce sans danger pour le nourrisson?

RÉPONSE: L’exposition des nourrissons à la méthadone dans le lait maternel est minime. Il ne faudrait pas décourager l’allaitement par les femmes qui prennent de la méthadone pour le traitement d’une dépendance aux opiacés. Les avantages de l’allaitement compensent largement les risques théoriques minimes.

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