02.04.3 Other Routes of Excretion

Anaesthetic gases are administered by inhalation, and are also excreted from the lung.

Some drugs are excreted in breast milk, and the excreted drugs are a source of unwanted effects in the nursing infant. For instance, morphine and other lipid soluble drugs are excreted in breast milk. While it is best to avoid all drugs during breast feeding, there are some breast feeding women who need to take medications. Epileptic mothers may have to continue their medication. Some of the older anti-epileptic drugs e.g. diazepam, are known to get into breast milk and should be avoided during breast feeding. There is little information about whether the newer agents get into breast milk, but it is considered that the levels are likely to be too low to have effects in the new-born.