Key result
Nifedipine, labetalol, and metoprolol emerge as preferred antihypertensives during breastfeeding.
Why the study?
Many postpartum mothers require ongoing antihypertensive treatment while nursing, but research on the efficacy, safety, and adverse effects of these medications during breastfeeding is limited, and references in clinical guidelines remain sparse.
Are antihypertensive medications safe and effective to use in breastfeeding mothers?
Are antihypertensive medications safe and effective to use in breastfeeding mothers?
This review consolidates current international guidelines, recommending nifedipine, labetalol, and metoprolol as the first-line antihypertensive agents for breastfeeding women.
Supports nifedipine, labetalol, and metoprolol as preferred antihypertensives in breastfeeding; extends guideline synthesis but leaves open long-term infant safety data.
Hypertension disorders of pregnancy affect almost 10% of pregnancies. Most hypertensive disorders associated with pregnancy, including chronic hypertension and gestational hypertension, often persist into the postpartum period. Thus, many breastfeeding mothers require ongoing antihypertensive treatment with antihypertensive medications while nursing. This highlights the importance of understanding the efficacy, safety, and potential adverse effects of antihypertensive therapy in breastfeeding mothers. Unfortunately, research in this area is limited, and references in clinical guidelines remain sparse. Our review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge on antihypertensive medications during breastfeeding, drawing from available research and evidence-based guidelines. This article discusses all groups of antihypertensive drugs, presenting societies' recommendations and available clinical data. Based on the available literature, calcium channel blockers (extended-release nifedipine as the first choice) and beta-blockers (labetalol, metoprolol) appear to be the drugs of choice. Our review highlights the need for further research to evaluate the long-term safety of antihypertensive medications during breastfeeding, improve clinical guidelines, and ensure optimal treatment for nursing mothers.
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Piotrkowicz et al. (2025) conducted a review in Hypertensive disorders persisting into the postpartum period. Antihypertensive medications was evaluated on Safety and risks of antihypertensive medications during breastfeeding. Calcium channel blockers (extended-release nifedipine) and beta-blockers (labetalol, metoprolol) appear to be the antihypertensive drugs of choice during breastfeeding based on current guidelines and evidence.
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