Question

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

Vancomycin lactation summary

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

Antibacterial glycopeptide drug. A high molecular weight its a reason to be excreted in clinically non-significant amount into breast milk, much lower than the dose commonly used for infection in newborns and infants.Its low oral bioavailability hinders the passage toward infant’s plasma from ingested mother’s milk, except in preterm infants and immediate neonatal period, in which the infant may have an increased intestinal permeability. Take into account the possibility of negative results of bacterial cultures from febrile infants when their mothers are receiving antibiotics.

Answer by DrLact: About Vancomycin usage in lactation

Limited information indicates that vancomycin produces low levels in milk and because vancomycin is poorly absorbed orally, it is not likely to reach the bloodstream of the infant or cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.

Alternate Drugs

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