Evaluating Psychotropic Drug Safety in Breastfeeding

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Activity Dates: 05/10/2021 - 07/10/2021

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Target Audience

This course is designed for pharmacists, nurse practitioners or other health care professionals involved in the comprehensive medication management of psychiatric and/or neurological patients.

Session Summary

With so many women using drug therapy during lactation, pediatricians and obstetricians are faced with the challenge of determining which medications are suitable for breastfeeding mothers. Although there is more literature available about the transfer of medications into breast milk, this is often not communicated to students and clinicians; therefore, many women are advised to stop breastfeeding or avoid drug therapy based on information obtained from product monographs. Even without specific medication data from human studies, a good understanding of the kinetic principles and mechanisms of medication entry into breast milk can help a clinician make an informed decision that often allows the mother to continue breastfeeding while treating her medical condition. Participants will learn how medications enter breast milk to aid in clinical decisions and highlight suitable medications for breastfeeding mothers.

Course Requirements

You will proceed through the following steps to satisfactorily complete this course:

  • Sign in (or create a FREE account).
  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • If necessary, complete the post-test retest no later than the closing activity date.
  • Receive a passing grade (70%).
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Upon successful completion, ACPE credit is reported within 24 hours to CPE Monitor although transcripts can be retrieved by participants online in their ACPE Transcript.

Faculty Information

Thomas W. Hale, RPh, PhD

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Learning Objectives

  1. Recall pharmacological mechanisms of drug transfer into human milk.
  2. Explain the risks associated with drug use in the breastfeeding mother.
  3. Describe pharmacokinetics and safety of psychotropic drug transfer into breastmilk, including implications of the Relative Infant Dose (RID).
  4. Discuss the management of behavioral health conditions, including the continuation of psychotropic medications, during pregnancy and lactation.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 05/10/2021 - 07/10/2021
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-21-012-H01-P (Knowledge)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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