Question

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

Clobazam lactation summary

Clobazam usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Clobazam is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Clobazam may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Clobazam may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Clobazam low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Clobazam 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 Clobazam usage in lactation

No data on breastfeeding mothers is available. Better option would be to use anxiolytic drugs known to be safer. Eventual and low doses of benzodiazepine are compatible with breastfeeding. Use a short-acting benzodiazepine and minimal effective dose as possible mostly in neonatal period. Follow-up for sedation and feeding ability of the infant. Bed-sharing is not recommended for mothers who are taking this medication.

Answer by DrLact: About Clobazam usage in lactation

Limited information indicates that maternal doses of clobazam up to 30 mg daily produce low levels in milk. Short-term use would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. During long-term administration, monitor the infant for possible sedation and poor sucking and weight gain.[1][2]

Clobazam Side Effects in Breastfeeding

No adverse effects were reported in 10 newborns who were 4 to 23 days old who were breastfed during maternal intake of levetiracetam 1000 to 3000 mg daily. One mother was also taking tiagabine 30 mg daily, clobazam 45 mg daily and oxcarbazepine 600 mg daily.[4] The infants (including 3 preterm) of 18 nursing mothers who were taking levetiracetam and called the Pharmacovigilance Center in Lyon, France. One 25-day-old infant whose mother was taking levetiracetam 3000 mg daily plus clobazam was hospitalized for sedation, vomiting, and weight loss, and improved rapidly after breastfeeding discontinuation. Another infant exposed to levetiracetam and clobazam had poor weight gain, but it appeared to be caused by poor milk production.[5]
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.