Is it ok to take migraine medication while breastfeeding?

Yes: Some medications are very safe (eg ibuprofen), others have risks and benefits that need to be weighed. Talk with the physician who prescribed the medication about safety issues with nursing.

No: That totally depends on what migraine medication you are talking about. Each medication has a different profile in regards to breastfeeding.

Yes: While sumatriptan succinate (imitrex, imigran) and Propranolol (inderal, detensol, novo-pranol, deralin, cardinol) are compatible with breastfeeding, ergotamine tartrate (wigraine, cafergot, (ergotamine and caffeine) ergostat, ergomar, dhe-450) is not, especially when used for a prolonged period.

No: Many migraine meds are class c, meaning no human studies have been reliably done, and animal studies may have shown harm. Definitely discuss with your pediatrician. Try natural alternatives with consultation from a knowledgeable health care practitioner - for example, some studies show dietary changes, magnesium, coq10 and b2 may be helpful for migraines.

It depends: Each drug is different. Immitrex for example is fine.

No, depends: There are preventive and abortive medications. Several different kinds in each category. Best solution is to talk to your doctor and come up either with an abortive medication only or a combination of the two. Magnesium 400 mg has been shown to be effective in headache prevention. Other suplemments might help as well. The use of non pharmachological therapies is stronglly recommended.

Breastfeeding: This questions can only be answered when reference to a specific migraine medication(s) is made. Please resubmit with specific medication(s).

No.: As a rule only medications which have been cleared by your pediatrician should be taken while breastfeeding. Medication intended for the migraine treatment can pass to the baby if you are breastfeeding and many cause damage to the baby.

Depends: It will depend on the medication. Discuss with your pcp/peds for exact medication you are using.

No: Triptans and ergotamines are absolutely forbidden due to risk of miscarriage. Depakote can cause spina bifida and/or mental retardation, topamax (topiramate) also risky. Likely none of the usual migraine agents are safe. Discuss with your obstetrician, as a few items may be useful, such as 100% oxygen.