Topical medications and breastfeeding.

Little data are available regarding the topical application of drugs to breast, nipple, or areolar tissue. Absorption of therapeutic agents applied to the breast may be of concern in the breastfed infant. Absorption may occur by direct contact with the drug while nursing, or by milk levels of the drug attained from systemic absorption. The safety of each individual agent should be assessed prior to application to the breast while nursing.