title: Methadone exposure during lactation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of my patients is currently using methadone for maintenance of opioid dependence. She wants to breastfeed. Is breastfeeding safe for her infant?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exposure of infants to methadone through their mothers' breast milk is minimal. Women using methadone for treatment of opioid dependence should not be discouraged from breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding largely outweigh any theoretical minimal risks.
authors.affiliation: Motherisk Team, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Miguel Marcelo
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Glatstein
authors.forename: Facundo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia-Bournissen
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone