Is Bromazepam safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Bromazepam. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
A 4-week-old infant with a 5-day history of near-miss sudden infant death syndrome was brought to the emergency room with asystole and unresponsive pupils. Despite resuscitation, the infant died. The infant s serum contained a plasma concentration of 0.38 mcg/mL of diazepam equivalents and the infant s urine was positive for bromazepam. The mother appeared to have been taking sedatives over the last few days, while partially breastfeeding, because of nervousness and sleeplessness.[ 2 ] Bromazepam probably contributed to the infant s death.[ 3 ] Three infants whose mothers were taking bromazepam during pregnancy and postpartum in dosages of 1 or 2 mg three times daily were partially breastfed. No abnormalities were found at the 1-month and the 3-month checkups of any of the infants.[ 1 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Three women who were partially breastfeeding their infants were taking bromazepam during pregnancy and postpartum in dosages of 1 or 2 mg three times daily. Random milk samples were obtained mostly in the first few days postpartum, but some samples were taken as long as the 40 th day postpartum. Milk concentrations ranged from 4.2 to 53.4 mcg/L and single-point RID values ranged from 1.1 to 3.9%. Infant Levels. Three infants whose mothers were taking bromazepam during pregnancy and postpartum in dosages of 1 or 2 mg three times daily were partially breastfed. In the first infant (maternal dose 1 mg 3 times daily), serum concentrations of 44.5 and 48.8 mcg/L in the first day postpartum probably represent placental transfer. In the second infant (maternal dose 2 mg 3 times daily), a level of 54.8 mcg/L in the first 0.1 day postpartum probably also represents placental passage. A second sample of 43.9 mcg/L taken 2.6 days postpartum at 65.2 hours after the mother s last dose may reflect both transplacental and breastmilk passage. Three serum samples of 2.1. 3.1, and 16.1 mcg/L on the 40 th day postpartum may better reflect breastmilk passage than other reported values among these three infants. In the third infant (maternal dose 2 mg 3 times daily), serum concentrations of 13 to 32.7 mcg/L between days 3 and 5 postpartum might reflect both transplacental and breastmilk passage.[ 1 ]
Alternatives LactMed lists
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.