Can You Take Adderall While Breastfeeding?

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By Krystal Duhaney | Updated on Dec 3, 2023
Image for article Can You Take Adderall While Breastfeeding?

When we talk about Adderall and breastfeeding, it's important to know that Adderall can pass into breast milk. Adderall, commonly used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, isn’t completely off-limits for breastfeeding1 , but it needs to be managed wisely.

According to Hale's Medications & Mothers' Milk, 2021: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology, breastfeeding people can take stimulant medications like Adderall. Timing plays a big role in this; taking the medication immediately after nursing and waiting several hours before the next feed can help reduce the amount your baby is exposed to.

One study2  showed that infants didn’t experience significant side effects when exposed to amphetamines, like Adderall, through breast milk—however, the sample size was extremely small, and the effects of infant neurological development aren’t well studied.

If you’ve been prescribed amphetamines, it’s critical to talk with your healthcare provider about taking them while breastfeeding.

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

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  1. Clarissa A Ramirez, MS, MBA Christine D Garner, PhD, RD, CLC Kaytlin Krutsch, PharmD, MBA, BCPS Thomas W Hale, PhD, RPh"ADHD Medications and Breastfeeding"https://www.infantrisk.com/content/adhd-medications-and-breastfeeding.

  2. MGH Center for Women's Mental Health"Is It Safe to Take ADHD Medications While Breastfeeding?"Aug 27, 2019https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/is-it-safe-to-take-adhd-medications-while-breastfeeding/.


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Updated on Dec 3, 2023

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Can You Take Adderall While Breastfeeding?

 Krystal Duhaney Profile Photo
By Krystal Duhaney | Updated on Dec 3, 2023
Image for article Can You Take Adderall While Breastfeeding?

When we talk about Adderall and breastfeeding, it's important to know that Adderall can pass into breast milk. Adderall, commonly used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, isn’t completely off-limits for breastfeeding1 , but it needs to be managed wisely.

According to Hale's Medications & Mothers' Milk, 2021: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology, breastfeeding people can take stimulant medications like Adderall. Timing plays a big role in this; taking the medication immediately after nursing and waiting several hours before the next feed can help reduce the amount your baby is exposed to.

One study2  showed that infants didn’t experience significant side effects when exposed to amphetamines, like Adderall, through breast milk—however, the sample size was extremely small, and the effects of infant neurological development aren’t well studied.

If you’ve been prescribed amphetamines, it’s critical to talk with your healthcare provider about taking them while breastfeeding.

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

Want evidence-based health & wellness advice for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum delivered to your inbox?

Your privacy is important to us. By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Expectful uses only high-quality sources, including academic research institutions, medical associations, and subject matter experts.

  1. Clarissa A Ramirez, MS, MBA Christine D Garner, PhD, RD, CLC Kaytlin Krutsch, PharmD, MBA, BCPS Thomas W Hale, PhD, RPh"ADHD Medications and Breastfeeding"https://www.infantrisk.com/content/adhd-medications-and-breastfeeding.

  2. MGH Center for Women's Mental Health"Is It Safe to Take ADHD Medications While Breastfeeding?"Aug 27, 2019https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/is-it-safe-to-take-adhd-medications-while-breastfeeding/.


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