Drugs of Abuse and Lactation

Are drugs of abuse or misused drugs compatible with lactation? The easy answer is “no.” As a lactation care provider, however, you need to be ready to offer an answer that is much more nuanced. Are you prepared? Following this course, you will be. 

Leslie Southard, PhamD, BCACP, CBS, is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and certified lactation counselor specializing in medication use during pregnancy and lactation. In this course, Southard discusses both illegal drugs and misused prescription drugs, covering opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, and cannabis and their implications for lactation. 

You will learn how to define and categorize drugs of abuse, study their pharmacological properties in relation to lactation, explore the current data on use in pregnancy and lactation, and understand risks, recommendations, and pharmacological alternatives.

Most importantly, Southard fully prepares you to counsel parents and answer their questions on this challenging topic, based on your own scope of practice and comfort level. 

All misused and/or abused drugs are contraindicated in lactation. But as a lactation care provider, your work does not end in “no.” With this course, you will be prepared to provide clients with nonjudgmental, evidence-based information and resources. And if providing their milk is their goal, while they may not be able to do so today, with your help, they can keep that possibility open for tomorrow.

Price: $17.00