Question

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

Hydroxyacyclovir lactation summary

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

Several factors might affect the decision to use Hydroxyacyclovir in a nursing mother. No information is available on the clinical use of Hydroxyacyclovir 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 Hydroxyacyclovir. Although the manufacturer recommends avoiding breastfeeding during Hydroxyacyclovir use because of the risk of infant drug toxicity, neonates with CMV infections are often treated directly with Hydroxyacyclovir. If the mother has a concurrent infection with HIV, breastfeeding is not recommended in the United States and other developed countries.

Alternate Drugs

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