Question

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

Answer by DrLact: About Pembrolizumab usage in lactation

No information is available on the clinical use of pembrolizumab during breastfeeding. Because pembrolizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 149,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, pembrolizumab should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during pembrolizumab therapy and for 4 months after the last dose.

Alternate Drugs

Tocilizumab(Low Risk)
Daclizumab(Low Risk)
Alemtuzumab(Low Risk)
Letrozole(Dangerous)
Dactinomycin(Dangerous)
Exemestane(Dangerous)
Trastuzumab(Unsafe)
Dasatinib(Unsafe)
Hydroxyurea(Low Risk)
Nilotinib(Unsafe)
Etoposide(Dangerous)
Doxorubicin(Dangerous)
Cyclophosphamide(Dangerous)
Imatinib(Unsafe)
Docetaxel(Dangerous)
Cisplatin(Unsafe)
Nivolumab(Unsafe)
Ipilimumab(Unsafe)
Busulfan(Dangerous)
Vinblastine(Dangerous)
Pazopanib(Unsafe)
Gemcitabine(Dangerous)
Cetuximab(Unsafe)
Bleomycin(Dangerous)
Carboplatin(Dangerous)
Vinorelbine(Dangerous)
Paclitaxel(Dangerous)
Cladribine(Dangerous)
Dacarbazine(Dangerous)
Fluorouracil(Dangerous)
Erlotinib(Unsafe)
Alemtuzumab(Low Risk)
Thioguanine(Dangerous)
Vincristine(Dangerous)
Rituximab(Low Risk)
Tamoxifen(Dangerous)
Bevacizumab(Low Risk)
Mitoxantrone(Dangerous)
Nivolumab(Unsafe)
Ipilimumab(Unsafe)
Nivolumab(Unsafe)
Ipilimumab(Unsafe)
Nivolumab(Unsafe)
Ipilimumab(Unsafe)
Glatiramer(Low Risk)
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.