Question

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

Terbinafine lactation summary

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

Pharmacokinetics data (low oral bioavailability, high volume of distribution and high protein-binding capacity) explains the scanty excretion into breast milk observed in nursing mothers who received this medication. In addition, a poor oral absorption would make even more difficult any pass of this drug through ingested milk to the infant's blood, except in newborns or premature who would show a higher intestinal absorption. Avoid using in prematures who are under treatment with caffeine or theophylline because terbinafine alters its metabolic degradation and increases plasma concentration. Since topical absorption is less than 1%, a significant excretion into breast milk after application on skin is not expected. Do not use on the breast to prevent ingestion by the infant, otherwise apply after a meal and wipe it out thoroughly with water before next feeding. It is recommended to avoid using on the nipple creams, gels and other products intended for use on skin that may contain paraffin (mineral oil) in order to keep from absorption the infant.

Answer by DrLact: About Terbinafine usage in lactation

Limited information indicates that oral maternal doses of 500 mg daily produce low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor the infant for jaundice or other signs of liver toxicity, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants. Some sources recommend avoiding oral terbinafine during nursing.[1] Topical terbinafine has not been studied during breastfeeding. Because only about 1% is absorbed after topical application, it is considered a low risk to the nursing infant.[1][2] Avoid application to the nipple area and ensure that the infant's skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Only water-miscible cream, gel or liquid products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[3]
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.