Question

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

Diltiazem lactation summary

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

It is excreted in breast milk in a clinically non-significant amount (Okada 85)Two 6 months-old breastfed twins whose mother was treated with diltiazem did not get into health problems (Lubbe 87) Evidence on other antihypertensive drugs of the same family with similar structure, pharmacokinetics and action profile (nifedipine, nimodipine, nicardipine) has shown that they are excreted into milk in non-significant amount.Diltiazem does not have any influence on prolactin production. Until more extensive published data about this drug regarding breastfeeding are available a safer alternative drug should be used, especially during the neonatal period and/or in case of premature infants. American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding.

Answer by DrLact: About Diltiazem usage in lactation

Based on limited data, amounts of diltiazem ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.

Alternate Drugs

Propafenone(Low Risk)
Acebutolol(Unsafe)
Nadolol(Unsafe)
Verapamil(Safe)
Lidocaine(Safe)
Levobunolol(Low Risk)
Timolol(Safe)
Labetalol(Safe)
Sotalol(Low Risk)
Amiodarone(Unsafe)
Diltiazem(Safe)
Bisoprolol(Low Risk)
Digoxin(Safe)
Quinidine(Safe)
Atenolol(Unsafe)
Atenolol(Unsafe)
Guanfacine(Low Risk)
Furosemide(Low Risk)
Captopril(Safe)
Fosinopril(Low Risk)
Acebutolol(Unsafe)
Nebivolol(Unsafe)
Minoxidil(Safe)
Nadolol(Unsafe)
Bumetanide(Low Risk)
Valsartan(Low Risk)
Terazosin(Unsafe)
Felodipine(Low Risk)
Telmisartan(Unsafe)
Verapamil(Safe)
Prazosin(Unsafe)
Lisinopril(Low Risk)
Levobunolol(Low Risk)
Enalapril(Safe)
Timolol(Safe)
Trandolapril(Dangerous)
Losartan(Low Risk)
Labetalol(Safe)
Amlodipine(Low Risk)
Nisoldipine(Low Risk)
Torsemide(Low Risk)
Irbesartan(Unsafe)
Isradipine(Low Risk)
Sotalol(Low Risk)
Indapamide(Low Risk)
Carvedilol(Low Risk)
Diltiazem(Safe)
Reserpine(Unsafe)
Bisoprolol(Low Risk)
Ramipril(Low Risk)
Eprosartan(Low Risk)
Bosentan(Low Risk)
Doxazosin(Safe)
Chlorthalidone(Dangerous)
Felodipine(Low Risk)
Verapamil(Safe)
Amlodipine(Low Risk)
Cinnarizine(Low Risk)
Nisoldipine(Low Risk)
Isradipine(Low Risk)
Diltiazem(Safe)
Nebivolol(Unsafe)
Minoxidil(Safe)
Verapamil(Safe)
Felodipine(Low Risk)
Amlodipine(Low Risk)
Cinnarizine(Low Risk)
Nisoldipine(Low Risk)
Isradipine(Low Risk)
Diltiazem(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.