Question

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

Moxifloxacin lactation summary

Moxifloxacin usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Moxifloxacin is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Moxifloxacin may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Moxifloxacin may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Moxifloxacin low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Moxifloxacin 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 Moxifloxacin usage in lactation

It is a Fluoroquinolone-type antibiotic which is similar to Ciprofloxacin on both characteristics and indications. At latest update, relevant published data on excretion into breast milk were not found. Until more data on this medication is available, safer alternative drugs are preferred, especially in such critical age periods. Should a Fluoroquinolone-type antibiotic be necessary, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin or Ciprofloxacin are preferred since they achieve the lowest levels in the plasma. When topically applied, as with eye drops, the small dose used and limited absorption to the plasma, which is common for most ophthalmic preparations, it is excreted in a non-significant amount into breast milk. In addition, quinolone-type medications have been used in neonates and infants without overt side effects (joint, bone or teeth impairment). It is excreted in tiny amounts into breast milk. Absorption through the child’s gut may be interfered by the calcium contained in the milk. Because of one case of pseudomembranous colitis that has been described possibly related to mother ingestion of Ciporfloxacine in a premature infant previously affected of NEC, a close follow-up looking for diarrhea is warranted. Be aware of the risk for false negative results of bacterial cultures in the infant, when the mother is taking antibiotics.

Answer by DrLact: About Moxifloxacin usage in lactation

No information is available on the use of moxifloxacin during breastfeeding. Fluoroquinolones have traditionally not been used in infants because of concern about adverse effects on the infants' developing joints. However, recent studies indicate little risk.[1][2] The calcium in milk might prevent absorption of the small amounts of fluoroquinolones in milk,[3] but insufficient data exist to prove or disprove this assertion. Use of moxifloxacin is acceptable in nursing mothers with monitoring of the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea or candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). However, it is preferable to use an alternate drug for which safety information is available. Maternal use of an eye drop that contains moxifloxacin presents negligible risk for the nursing infant. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Alternate Drugs

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