Question

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

Fluvastatin lactation summary

Fluvastatin is unsafe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Fluvastatin is 5 out of 8 which is considered Unsafe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 5 indicates that usage of Fluvastatin may cause serious side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Fluvastatin may cause moderate to high side effects or may affect milk supply in lactating mother.
  • Our suggestion is to use safer alternate options rather than using Fluvastatin .
  • It is recommended to evaluate the advantage of not breastfeeding while using Fluvastatin Vs not using Fluvastatin And continue breastfeeding.
  • While using Fluvastatin Its must to monitor 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 Fluvastatin usage in lactation

Statin drugs do its action by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. On latest update relevant data on breastfeeding was not found. Its high plasma protein binding makes excretion into breast milk unlikely. Ability to alter fat composition of breast milk is unknown which is important since infant are in need of high amounts of cholesterol for adequate brain development, cell membrane building and hormone and vitamin synthesis. If hypercholesterolemia is not severe treatment should be postponed to after the first months. Choose those drugs with a more advantageous pharmacokinetics. Avoid taking it at least while exclusive breastfeeding. Atorvastatin is possibly the safest statin drug because a higher molecular weight that lowers excretion into breast milk even more extensively. For Pravastatin a minimal excretion has been reported. Simvastatin has a lowest oral bioavailability. Avoiding drug treatment for cholesterol as long as breastfeeding is desired would probably not harm long term result of disease. Continuing with a low fat containing diet is recommended.

Answer by DrLact: About Fluvastatin usage in lactation

No relevant published information exists on the use of fluvastatin during breastfeeding. Because of a concern with disruption of infant lipid metabolism, the consensus is that fluvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. However, others have argued that children homozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia are treated with statins beginning at 1 year of age, that statins have low oral bioavailability, and risks to the breastfed infant are low, especially with rosuvastatin and pravastatin.[1] Until more data become available, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
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.