Is Ferric Carboxymaltose safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Ferric Carboxymaltose. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
In a study of postpartum mothers given intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, 229 were breastfeeding their infants. Among the breastfed infants, 24 infants (10.5%) had an adverse reaction reported. The most frequent reactions included erythema, constipation, diarrhea and nasopharyngitis. The overall rate of adverse reactions was similar to the rate (12%) in the control group whose mothers received oral ferrous sulfate.[ 1 ] In a study of mothers with postpartum anemia, 16 women were given 1000 mg ferric carboxymaltose intravenously as a single dose, either alone (n = 8) or in combination with a red blood cell transfusion (n = 8). At the time of the iron infusion, 13 of the women were exclusively or fully breastfeeding and 2 were partially breastfed. No adverse effects in breastfed infants were reported.[ 2 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. A multi-center study of postpartum mothers with iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin 105 g/L or less) compared iron carboxymaltose to oral ferrous sulfate. Mothers were given intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in a dose of 15 mg of iron/kg body weight to a maximum dose of 1000 mg over 15 minutes on day 1, with subsequent weekly doses until each woman's total iron requirement had been given. The first dose was given within 7 days postpartum and follow-up visits were at follow-up visits after 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks postpartum. A subset of 11 mothers had their breastmilk iron measured before and after administration of iron carboxymaltose. Baseline breastmilk iron was 0.500 mg/kg. At 24 hours after the first dose, breastmilk iron increased to 1.447 mg/kg. One week after the first dose, breastmilk iron decreased to an average of 0.513 mg/kg. After the second dose at week 1, breastmilk iron increased to 0.615 mg/kg at 1 to 3 hours after the dose. Breastmilk iron was 0.991 mg/kg before the dose on week 2.[ 1 ] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
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.