Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Itraconazole? Is Itraconazole safe for nursing mother and child? Does Itraconazole extracts into breast milk? Does Itraconazole has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Itraconazole influence milk supply or can Itraconazole decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Itraconazole lactation summary

Itraconazole is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Itraconazole is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Itraconazole is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Itraconazole does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Itraconazole safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Itraconazole usage in lactation

Pharmacokinetic data (moderately high molecular weight and high protein binding capacity) explain its nil or negligible amount observed in breast milk (McNamara, 2004), such that a breastfed infant would receive a maximum of 35 micrograms per day of Itraconazole, amount which is a hundred times lower than the pediatric dose of 5 mg / kg / day currently recommended (Janssen Cazzaniga 2014 and 1996) Both, low oral bioavailability and alkaline pH hinder its absorption from ingested milk. It is used to treat fungal infections in children, including premature babies, with a good tolerance. Itraconazole significantly increases plasma concentrations of Domperidone, which must be taken into account in case of simultaneous administration of both drugs.

Answer by DrLact: About Itraconazole usage in lactation

No information is available on the clinical use of itraconazole during breastfeeding. However, limited data indicate that maternal itraconazole produces levels in milk that are less than the 5 mg/kg daily doses that have been recommended to treat infants. Until more data become available, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.