Commonly Used Opioid Analgesic Medications—Suitability in Lactation

  • Appendices
  • Commonly Used Opioid Analgesic Medications—Suitability in Lactation

Commonly Used Opioid Analgesic Medications: Suitability in Lactation
Drug Name Half-Life Adult Dose Relative Infant Dose Lactation Risk Category
CODEINE 2.9 h 15-60 mg every 4-6 h as needed 0.6%-8.1% L3 - Limited Data-Presumed Compatible
FENTANYL 2-4 h 25-35 µg IV every 30-60 min as needed. 2.9% - 5% L2 - Limited Data-Probably Compatible
HYDROCODONE 3.8 h 5-10 mg every 6 h as needed. 2.21%-3.7% L3 - Limited Data-Presumed Compatible
HYDROMORPHONE 2-3 h IV & oral immediate release 2-4 mg orally every 4-6 h as needed; 0.2-1 mg IV every 2-3 h as needed 0.67% L3 - Limited Data-Presumed Compatible
MORPHINE 1.5-2 h every 4 h as needed: 10-30 mg oral; 5-15 mg IM; 2.5-5 mg IV 9.09% - 35% L3 - Limited Data-Presumed Compatible
OXYCODONE 2-4 h 5-10 mg every 6 hours as needed. 1.01%-4.55% L3 - Limited Data-Presumed Compatible
TRAMADOL 7 h 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours as needed 2.86% L3 - Limited Data-Presumed Compatible
*When possible acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) should be given regularly for pain control and narcotics taken as needed