Transfer of dexamphetamine into breast milk during treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Aims: To investigate dexamphetamine transfer into milk, infant doses and effects in the breast-fed infant. Methods: Four women taking dexamphetamine, and their infants were studied. Results: The median maternal dexamphetamine dose was 18 mg day-1 (range 15-45 mg day-1). Median (interquartile range) descriptors were 3.3 (2.2-4.8) for milk/plasma ratio, 21 μg kg-1 day-1 (11-39) for absolute infant dose and 5.7% (4-10.6%) for relative infant dose. No adverse effects were seen. In three infants tested, dexamphetamine in plasma was undetected in one (limit of detection 1 μg l-1) and present at 18 μg l-1 and 2 μg l-1 in the other two. Conclusion: Dexamphetamine readily transfers into milk. The relative infant dose was <10% and within a range that is generally accepted as being 'safe' in the short term. © 2006 The Authors.