Question

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

Rifaximin lactation summary

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

Antibiótico derivado de la rifamicina, no aborbible, utilizado por vía oral para tratar determinadas diarreas y afecciones intestinales. A fecha de última actualización no encontramos datos publicados en relación con la lactancia pero su falta casi absoluta de absorción intestinal (< 1%) y su elevado peso molecular hacen muy improbable su paso a leche. Por otra parte sus posibles efectos secundarios son leves y casi limitados a molestias abdominales.

Answer by DrLact: About Rifaximin usage in lactation

Rifaximin is poorly absorbed orally and used only for gastrointestinal infections. It is not likely to reach the breastmilk or bloodstream of the infant or cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants after maternal use. However, no published experience exists with rifaximin during breastfeeding; therefore, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Alternate Drugs

Enoxacin(Low Risk)
Saquinavir(Unsafe)
Linezolid(Low Risk)
Rifaximin(Safe)
Doxycycline(Low Risk)
Neomycin(Safe)
Cefoxitin(Safe)
Ritonavir(Unsafe)
Nafcillin(Safe)
Cefotetan(Safe)
Famciclovir(Low Risk)
Naftifine(Safe)
Moxifloxacin(Low Risk)
Valganciclovir(Low Risk)
Abacavir(Safe)
Demeclocycline(Low Risk)
Nevirapine(Low Risk)
Erythromycin(Low Risk)
Amikacin(Safe)
Ganciclovir(Low Risk)
Amantadine(Low Risk)
Nelfinavir(Unsafe)
Clindamycin(Low Risk)
Malathion(Low Risk)
Methicillin(Low Risk)
Cefixime(Safe)
Meropenem(Safe)
Cefepime(Safe)
Lomefloxacin(Low Risk)
Cefdinir(Safe)
Indinavir(Unsafe)
Acyclovir(Safe)
Levofloxacin(Low Risk)
Dapsone(Low Risk)
Cefazolin(Safe)
Quinine(Safe)
Lindane(Unsafe)
Kanamycin(Safe)
Capreomycin(Low Risk)
Econazole(Safe)
Ertapenem(Safe)
Cefaclor(Safe)
Zidovudine(Low Risk)
Efavirenz(Unsafe)
Gatifloxacin(Low Risk)
Tenofovir(Safe)
Primaquine(Low Risk)
Aztreonam(Safe)
Ofloxacin(Safe)
Atovaquone(Low Risk)
Cefprozil(Safe)
Didanosine(Unsafe)
Rifaximin(Safe)
Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Cisapride(Safe)
Docusate(Safe)
Cimetidine(Low Risk)
Doxylamine(Unsafe)
Droperidol(Low Risk)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Cascara Sagrada(Low Risk)
Alosetron(Low Risk)
Bisacodyl(Safe)
Ursodiol(Safe)
Senna(Safe)
Rifampin(Safe)
Rifabutin(Low Risk)
Rifaximin(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.