Question

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

Alteplase lactation summary

Alteplase is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Alteplase is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Alteplase is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Alteplase does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Alteplase 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 Alteplase usage in lactation

Synthetic recombinant protein formed by a sequence of amino acids that are identical to Human Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) which is found in colostrum and mature milk. A rapid metabolic rate and high molecular weight explains a less than probable excretion into breast milk. Even more, protein structure would impede gut absorption in the child with exception of the first post-partum week.

Answer by DrLact: About Alteplase usage in lactation

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is identical to alteplase, is a normal component of human colostrum and breastmilk.[1][2][3] Levels in milk are highest in colostrum and decrease rapidly during the first week, followed by a sower decrease over time.[2][3] Because alteplase is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 59,000, absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. No information is available on the clinical use of alteplase during breastfeeding. Until more data become available, alteplase should be used with caution during breastfeeding, 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.