What is the Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Medicines Guide (PBMG)?
The Women's Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Medicines Guide (PBMG) is a trusted clinical resource produced by the Pharmacy department at the Royal Women’s Hospital. Developed specifically for healthcare professionals, the PBMG is a quick reference guide that provides practical and unbiased specialised information on medicine use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Who is the guide for?
The guide is designed for pharmacists, general practitioners, midwives and other healthcare professionals involved in prescribing or advising on medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How are the recommendations developed?
Recommendations are based on current clinical evidence, pharmacokinetic data and expert review. Each entry is assessed by the Women’s pharmacy team and reviewed by an advisory panel.
What do the trimester recommendations mean?
Trimester recommendations indicate whether a medicine is considered safe, should be used with caution, or is not recommended during a specific stage of pregnancy. These are based on known risks and available safety data.
How do I interpret the breastfeeding advice?
Breastfeeding recommendations consider the medicine’s transfer into breast milk, potential effects on the infant, and clinical need. Where possible, safer alternatives are suggested.
What if a medicine isn’t listed?
If a medicine isn’t included in the guide, we recommend consulting the Australian Medicines Handbook, contacting a specialist pharmacist, or referring to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) database.
Can I print or download information from the guide?
Yes. Most pages include a print-friendly format. Please ensure you’re using the latest version, as recommendations may be updated regularly.
How often is the guide updated?
The PBMG is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect new evidence and changes in clinical practice. Update logs are available on the site.