The “bible” on nursing and medicines is Medications and Mother’s Milk by Thomas Hale.  His website has a searchable database. Kellymom also has a terrific resource, Is this safe while breastfeeding?

Bottom line:  Before taking the drastic step of weaning so that you can take a particular medication, do your research.  If the information you find is inconclusive, you need to weigh the emotional costs of early and abrupt weaning against the potential physical risks of the baby ingesting some of the meds. 

It might be best to compromise; for example, start taking the meds and start weaning, but don’t wean cold turkey.  If the medication is a Level 3 drug (untested, but no evidence of harm exists), consider the impact of not taking it on your ability to function as a mom.  One example is anti-diarrhea medication – I took it because I knew that if lost a night of sleep while running to the toilet every 20 minutes, my ability to parent the following day would be seriously compromised.

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