Explain Risks and Benefits of Breastfeeding to Mothers on Methadone

Health Canada will require stronger labelling to highlight risks to infants exposed to methadone through breast milk.

The rare risks of respiratory depression and death might be higher in some infants who have altered CYP2B6 metabolism...leading to decreased clearance and increased effects of methadone.

But the amount of methadone that passes into breast milk is usually very low... 2% to 3% of the maternal dose...and doesn't lead to respiratory depression in the infant in most cases.