Question

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

Ganciclovir lactation summary

Ganciclovir usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Ganciclovir is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Ganciclovir may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Ganciclovir may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Ganciclovir low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Ganciclovir We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to 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 Ganciclovir usage in lactation

Synthetic nucleoside which is analogue of guanine, structurally very closed related to acyclovir.Indicated for the treatment and prevention of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in immunocompromised patients. At latest update no published data on excretion into breast milk were found. It is used in newborns and premature who are affected with CMV infection.Its low oral bioavailability hinders the passage from ingested milk towards the infant’s plasma, except in preterm babies and immediate neonatal period, which may show an increased intestinal permeability.

Answer by DrLact: About Ganciclovir usage in lactation

Several factors might affect the decision to use ganciclovir in a nursing mother. No information is available on the clinical use of ganciclovir during breastfeeding. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be transmitted to infants though breastmilk, with preterm and immunocompromised infants at greatest risk. No information is available on any changes in the risk of transmission if the mother is being treated with ganciclovir. Although the manufacturer recommends avoiding breastfeeding during ganciclovir use because of the risk of infant drug toxicity, neonates with CMV infections are often treated directly with ganciclovir. If the mother has a concurrent infection with HIV, breastfeeding is not recommended in the United States and other developed countries.

Alternate Drugs

Nafcillin(Safe)
Amikacin(Safe)
Moxifloxacin(Low Risk)
Lindane(Unsafe)
Cefixime(Safe)
Nevirapine(Low Risk)
Demeclocycline(Low Risk)
Zidovudine(Low Risk)
Valganciclovir(Low Risk)
Cefepime(Safe)
Methicillin(Low Risk)
Nelfinavir(Unsafe)
Famciclovir(Low Risk)
Ganciclovir(Low Risk)
Cefdinir(Safe)
Econazole(Safe)
Erythromycin(Low Risk)
Efavirenz(Unsafe)
Meropenem(Safe)
Cefazolin(Safe)
Tenofovir(Safe)
Clindamycin(Low Risk)
Didanosine(Unsafe)
Lomefloxacin(Low Risk)
Cefaclor(Safe)
Levofloxacin(Low Risk)
Kanamycin(Safe)
Primaquine(Low Risk)
Acyclovir(Safe)
Atovaquone(Low Risk)
Saquinavir(Unsafe)
Quinine(Safe)
Linezolid(Low Risk)
Amantadine(Low Risk)
Aztreonam(Safe)
Indinavir(Unsafe)
Rifaximin(Safe)
Cefprozil(Safe)
Naftifine(Safe)
Ofloxacin(Safe)
Cefoxitin(Safe)
Ritonavir(Unsafe)
Gatifloxacin(Low Risk)
Dapsone(Low Risk)
Cefotetan(Safe)
Abacavir(Safe)
Enoxacin(Low Risk)
Capreomycin(Low Risk)
Neomycin(Safe)
Malathion(Low Risk)
Doxycycline(Low Risk)
Ertapenem(Safe)
Nevirapine(Low Risk)
Zidovudine(Low Risk)
Valganciclovir(Low Risk)
Daclatasvir(Low Risk)
Nelfinavir(Unsafe)
Famciclovir(Low Risk)
Dasabuvir(Low Risk)
Ganciclovir(Low Risk)
Ribavirin(Low Risk)
Efavirenz(Unsafe)
Tenofovir(Safe)
Didanosine(Unsafe)
Acyclovir(Safe)
Amantadine(Low Risk)
Saquinavir(Unsafe)
Indinavir(Unsafe)
Velpatasvir(Low Risk)
Zanamivir(Safe)
Simeprevir(Low Risk)
Ritonavir(Unsafe)
Sofosbuvir(Low Risk)
Abacavir(Safe)
Ledipasvir(Low Risk)
Ombitasvir(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.