Question

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

Cephaxin lactation summary

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

First-generation cephalosporin. Oral administration. Like most cephalosporins for which data are available, excretion occurs in breast milk in very small amount and it is clinically insignificant (Kafetzis 1981, Matsuda 1984, Ilett 2006). Cephalosporins are widely used in the Pediatric practice with a good tolerance, even in the neonatal period, so it is very unlikely that in small amounts through milk would be a cause of problems in the infant. Be aware of the possibility of false negative results of cultures in febrile infants whose mothers are taking antibiotics as well as the possibility of gastroenteritis (Ito 1993) by altering the intestinal flora. Cephaxin is not excreted in significant amount into breast milk (Kafetzis 1981, Matsuda 1984, Ilett 2006). Be aware of false negative bacterial cultures in the infant when the mother is on antibiotics. Also, diarrheal disease due to imbalance of intestinal flora is possible (Ito 1993, Benyamini 2005). A case of a mother reportedly treated with Cephaxine and Probenecid occurred (Ilett 2006).

Answer by DrLact: About Cephaxin usage in lactation

Limited information indicates that maternal Cephaxin produces low levels in milk that are usually not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Cephaxin is an alternative for the treatment of mastitis.[1][2] Occasionally disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush have been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Cephaxin is acceptable in nursing mothers.

Cephaxin Side Effects in Breastfeeding

In a prospective follow-up study, 7 nursing mothers reported taking Cephaxin (dosage not specified). Two mothers reported diarrhea in their infants. No rashes or candidiasis were reported among the exposed infants.[6] A prospective, controlled study asked mothers who called an information service about adverse reactions experience by their breastfed infants. One of 11 Cephaxin-exposed infants reportedly developed diarrhea during maternal Cephaxin therapy.[7] A woman received intravenous cephalothin 1 g every 6 hours for 3 days. Her breastfed infant had a green liquid stool, severe diarrhea, discomfort and crying. The mother's drug regimen was then changed to oral Cephaxin 500 mg plus oral probenecid 500 mg 4 times daily for another 16 days. The infant continued to have diarrhea during this time. The authors rated the diarrhea as probably related to Cephaxin in milk.[5]

Alternate Drugs

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