Pubdate: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 Source: Canadian Family Physician (Canada) Copyright: 2008 The College of Family Physicians of Canada Contact: http://www.cfpc.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4389 Authors: Miguel Marcelo Glatstein, MD, Facundo Garcia-Bournissen, MD, Yaron Finkelstein, MD and Gideon Koren, MD FRCPC FACMT Full Text: http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/content/full/54/12/1689 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Motherisk Update METHADONE EXPOSURE DURING LACTATION Question One of my patients is currently using methadone for maintenance of opioid dependence. She wants to breastfeed. Is breastfeeding safe for her infant? Answer 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.