Is Irbesartan Safe in Breastfeeding

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

• DrLact safety Score for Irbesartan is 5 out of 8 which is considered Unsafe as per our analyses.
• A safety Score of 5 indicates that usage of Irbesartan may cause serious side effects in breastfed baby.
• Our study of different scientific research indicates that Irbesartan 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 Irbesartan .
• It is recommended to evaluate the advantage of not breastfeeding while using Irbesartan Vs not using Irbesartan And continue breastfeeding.
• While using Irbesartan 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.

At latest update, relevant published data on excretion into breast milk were not found. Because of a high protein-binding capacity, a significant excretion into breast milk is unlikely. However, it is one among the Sartan drugs (ARA-II type) with the longest half-life and highest oral bioavailability. The latter properties make it less convenient for use while breastfeeding. Reportedly, a newborn infant appeared with transient renal failure (kidney malfunction) whose mother had taken this medication during pregnancy. Until more data on this medication is available safer alternative drugs are preferred especially in premature babies or during the neonatal period. Should an ARA-II medication (Sartan type) be necessary, the associated risk may be decreased by choosing the one with a favorable pharmacokinetics (shorter half-life elimination time and lower bioavailability) like Eprosartan and Losartan.

Because no information is available on the use of irbesartan during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.