Is Fusidic Acid safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Fusidic Acid. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
A small, randomized, unblinded trial of mothers with sore, cracked nipples was performed. Fusidic acid ointment applied to the nipples after each feeding was much less effective (36% vs 79%) than an oral antibiotic (cloxacillin or erythromycin for 10 days) in resolving the problem. Additionally, 43% of patients had no improvement with fusidic acid compared with 16% with oral antibiotics; 21% worsened with fusidic acid compared with 5% with oral antibiotics.[ 3 ]
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Seven women were given intravenous sodium fusidate 750 mg four times daily 4 hours apart on the first day of therapy. Milk samples taken at various times after the second dose had fusidic acid concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.86 mg/L.[ 2 ] 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.