Question

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

Allopurinol lactation summary

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

Anti-gout medicine also used along with Itraconazole for Chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis). The amount excreted into breast milk is minimal with no effect on the infant. American Academy of Pediatrics: Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.

Answer by DrLact: About Allopurinol usage in lactation

Limited information indicates that a maternal doses of allopurinol of 300 mg daily provides near-therapeutic dose and plasma levels in an exclusively breastfed infant. If allopurinol is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding, but exclusively breastfed infants should be monitored if this drug is used, including observation for allergic reactions (such as rash) and periodic CBC and differential blood counts. Lesinurad, which is available in the combination product Duzallo, has not been studied in nursing mothers.

Allopurinol Side Effects in Breastfeeding

One infant breastfed from age 1 week to age 7 weeks during maternal allopurinol therapy with 300 mg or allopurinol daily. The infant had no observable side effects and no changes in clinical chemistry and hematology values.[3] A national survey of gastroenterologists in Australia identified 21 infants who were breastfed by mothers taking a combination of allopurinol and a thiopurine (e.g. azathioprine, mercaptopurine) to treat inflammatory bowel disease. All had taked the combination during pregnancy also. Two postpartum infant deaths occurred, both at 3 months of age. One was a twin (premature birth-related) and the other from SIDS. The authors did not believe the deaths were medication related.[28] No information was provided on the extent of breastfeeding, specific thiopurines, drug dosages or the outcomes of the other infants.
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.