Question

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

Erythromycin (topical use) lactation summary

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

La pequeña dosis y la escasa absorción plasmática de la mayoría de preparaciones dermatológicas u oftalmológicas tópicas hacen poco probable el paso de cantidad significativa a leche materna. No aplicar sobre el pecho para evitar que el lactante lo ingiera; caso necesario, aplicar tras una toma y limpiar bien con agua antes de la próxima. Conviene evitar la aplicación sobre el pezón de cremas, geles y otros producto de aplicación local que contengan parafina (aceite mineral) para que el lactante no lo absorba. Academia Americana de Pediatría: medicación usualmente compatible con la lactancia. Listado de medicamentos esenciales OMS 2002: compatible con la lactancia.

Alternate Drugs for Antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for dermatological, topical use. ATC D06

Erythromycin(Low Risk)
Mupirocin(Safe)
Fusidic Acid(Safe)
Bacitracin-Zinc(Safe)
Clindamycin Topical(Safe)
Gramicidin(Safe)
Nitrofural(Safe)
Silver Nitrate(Safe)
Sulfadiazine Silver(Low Risk)
Sulfanilamide(Safe)
Sulfathiazole(Low Risk)
Tyrothricin(Safe)
Fusafungine(Safe)
Sulfacetamide(Safe)
Chloramphenicol (topical use)(Low Risk)
Framycetin Sulfate(Safe)
Norsulfazole(Low Risk)
Silver Sulfadiazine(Low Risk)
Sulfacetamide Sodium(Safe)
Sulphanilamide(Safe)
Pseudomonic Acid(Safe)
Furacilin(Safe)
Furacilinum(Safe)
Nitrofurazone(Safe)
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.