Is Zafirlukast Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Zafirlukast? Is Zafirlukast safe for nursing mother and child? Does Zafirlukast extracts into breast milk? Does Zafirlukast has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Zafirlukast influence milk supply or can Zafirlukast decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Zafirlukast lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Zafirlukast is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Zafirlukast may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Zafirlukast may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Zafirlukast low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Zafirlukast We suggest monitoring 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 Zafirlukast usage in lactation
Pharmacokinetic data (moderately high molecular weight and high percentage of protein binding) make it unlikely the passage into breast milk in significant amounts and would explain the low content in the milk reported by the manufacturer. Low oral bioavailability, mostly when taken with food, hinder plasma passage from ingested milk by the infant except in preterm and immediate neonatal infants, who may have a greater intestinal absorption.It has been used in infants from 12 months of age. A drug of the same group and similar effect, the Montelukast, is excreted into breast milk in negligible amount. Until more data is available regarding breastfeeding, it may be preferable to choose alternatives that are known to be safer, especially in the neonatal period and/or in case of prematurity.
Answer by DrLact: About Zafirlukast usage in lactation
No published information is available on the use of zafirlukast during breastfeeding; however, manufacturer's data indicate that the dose in milk is low. If zafirlukast is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. Because there is no published experience with zafirlukast during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Zafirlukast has been used in children as young as 12 months of age.[1]
Alternate Drugs
Pirbuterol(Safe)
Omalizumab(Low Risk)
Arfomoterol(Low Risk)
Levalbuterol(Safe)
Isoetharine(Safe)
Formoterol(Safe)
Zafirlukast(Low Risk)
Fluticasone, Inhaled(Safe)
Flunisolide(Safe)
Nedocromil(Safe)
Montelukast(Safe)
Ipratropium(Safe)
Aminophylline(Safe)
Dyphylline(Safe)
Albuterol(Safe)
Cromolyn(Safe)
Theophylline(Safe)
Salmeterol(Safe)
Zafirlukast(Low Risk)
Montelukast(Safe)