Babies Breastfeeding Challenges Medications to Increase the Supply of Breast Milk By Donna Murray, RN, BSN Updated on April 20, 2020 Medically reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD Print Image Source/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How They Work Why They're Prescribed Side Effects Common Medications Other Medications There really are no medications available that are specifically manufactured to increase the supply of breast milk, but there are prescription drugs designed for other conditions that are used for that purpose. How They Work These medications cause an increase in the level of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, so they have the side effect of making breast milk. Under the direct supervision and monitoring of a doctor, these medications have been prescribed to help create, re-establish or increase the supply of breast milk for nursing mothers. Reasons They're Prescribed You would like to breastfeed an adopted baby You have weaned your child and would like to start nursing again You are pumping for a baby in the hospital and your milk supply is low If you have tried to increase your milk supply naturally and with herbal treatments, but have had little or no success, talk to your doctor to see if a prescription medication is right for you. Medication Side Effects All medications have side effects and can be dangerous, so never start any medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you and your doctor decide that you would benefit from a prescription, be sure to take it exactly as ordered and follow up with your doctor regularly. It's also important to understand that medication on its own is not enough to establish or increase your milk supply. Frequent nursing and/or pumping to stimulate the breasts and remove the milk is also necessary. Commonly Prescribed Medications The two most common medications used as galactagogues are metoclopramide (Reglan) and domperidone (Motilium). Metoclopramide (Reglan) Metoclopramide is a medication used to treat stomach issues such as reflux, nausea, and vomiting. It is the most commonly used medication for lactation induction and increasing a low supply of breast milk in the United States.Results can usually be seen in a few days, and will typically last as long as the medication is continued. The supply often dwindles again once the medication is no longer being taken.Metoclopramide does travel to the baby through breast milk, but it hasn't been shown to cause any problems in breastfed infants.The common side effects of metoclopramide are sleepiness, headache, or restlessness. Less common, but more severe side effects have also been reported with the use of this medication.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that depression and tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes tics, tremors or uncontrollable movements of the face and body, could result from taking metoclopramide in high doses over an extended period of time. In some cases, the involuntary movements do not resolve even after the medication is stopped.Metoclopramide should not be taken for longer than 12 weeks, and should not be used by anyone who suffers from depression, a seizure disorder, asthma or high blood pressure. Domperidone (Motilium) Domperidone, like metoclopramide, is also used to treat gastric problems. It's not available in the United States but is commonly used in Canada and other countries to stimulate the production of breast milk.Outside of the U.S., domperidone is believed to be safer than metoclopramide, with fewer side effects for nursing mothers. It's also considered to be safe to take long-term. Side effects such as headache, stomach cramps, and dry mouth can occur but tend to be uncommon.In the United States, the FDA has not approved domperidone for any condition. It warns against the use of this drug for anyone, especially breastfeeding women.Reports of serious heart problems and sudden death have been associated with the intravenous (IV) use of this medication, so the FDA has deemed it unsafe. Therefore, in the US, it is illegal to import, sell or compound domperidone except for specific patients with severe stomach issues, and only after a doctor submits a special request to the FDA. Other Medications Tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and haloperidol (Haldol), and the blood pressure medication methyldopa (Aldomet) are some of the other prescriptions that can increase the level of prolactin in the body and potentially increase the supply of breast milk. However, side effects of these drugs can be very dangerous. The risks these medications pose to nursing mothers outweigh the benefits, so they are not used to enhance the milk supply. 7 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mannion C, Mansell D. Breastfeeding self-efficacy and the use of prescription medication: a pilot study. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/562704 Medication Safety Tips for the Breastfeeding Mom. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2015. reglan® tablets (metoclopramide tablets, USP). US Food & Drug Administration. 2011. Schey R, Saadi M, Midani D, Roberts AC, Parupalli R, Parkman HP. Domperidone to Treat Symptoms of Gastroparesis: Benefits and Side Effects from a Large Single-Center Cohort. Dig Dis Sci. 2016;61(12):3545-3551. doi:10.1007/s10620-016-4272-5 How to Request Domperidone for Expanded Access Use. US Food & Drug Administration. 2019. FDA Talk Paper: FDA Warns Against Women Using Unapproved Drug, Domperidone, to Increase Milk Production. US Food & Drug Administration. 2019. Navy H, Gardner K. Strategies for managing medication-induced hyperprolactinemia. Current Psychiatry. 2018;17(3):42-46. Additional Reading American Academy of Pediatrics. New Mother’s Guide To Breastfeeding. Bantam Books. New York. 2011. Lawrence, Ruth A., MD, Lawrence, Robert M., MD. Breastfeeding A Guide For The Medical Profession Sixth Edition. Mosby. Philadelphia. 2005. Newman, Jack, MD, Pitman, Theresa. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers. Three Rivers Press. New York. 2006. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Domperidone. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. June 19, 2009. Accessed January 7, 2013: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm154914.htm U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Requires Boxed Warning and Risk Mitigation Strategy for Metoclopramide-Containing Drugs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. February 26, 2009. Accessed January 7, 2013: http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm149533.htm U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Talk Paper: FDA Warns Against Women Using Unapproved Drug, Domperidone, To Increase Milk Production. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. July 28, 2009. Accessed January 7, 2013: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm173886.htm U.S. Food and Drug Administration. How To Obtain Domperidone. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. October 1, 2008. Accessed January 7, 2013: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm073070.htm By Donna Murray, RN, BSN Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit