Is Benzathine Penicillin G safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Benzathine Penicillin G. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
A breastfed 1-month-old infant with congenital syphilis developed a Herxheimer reaction 6 hours after its mother received 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin G intramuscularly. However, the baby had also received 10 units of penicillin G at about the same time as the mother's injection. The reaction was possibly caused by penicillin in breastmilk.[ 2 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Two women received one dose of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin G intramuscularly 20 hours after delivery. Milk concentrations decreased from 30 units/L on the third day to 10 units/L on the fifth day. After the fifth day, milk levels were undetectable. The authors estimated that an exclusively breastfed infant would receive a maximum of 6 to 7 units daily.[ 1 ] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Source: NIH LactMed (National Library of Medicine).
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.