Is Naloxone safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Naloxone. 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
In contrast to its effect in some animal species, naloxone does not affect suckling-induced secretion of oxytocin or prolactin in postpartum women.[ 2 , 3 ]
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Four women receiving buprenorphine and naloxone combination therapy as sublingual filmstrips for opioid use disorder provided milk samples at 2.5 hours after ingestion of the drug. Three participants provided samples on Days 2, 3, 4, 14, and 30; one participant provided samples only until Day 4. Maternal buprenorphine-naloxone doses ranged from 12 mg/3 mg to 20 mg/5 mg. Naloxone was detected only on day 14 in one participant at a concentration of 1.3 mcg/L. Naloxone glucuronide was detected in only some milk samples in average concentrations ranging from 3.15 to 5.7 mcg/L. [ 1 ] Infant Levels. Women receiving buprenorphine and naloxone combination in doses ranging from 12 mg/3 mg to 20 mg/5 mg therapy as sublingual filmstrips for opioid use disorder breastfed their infants, one exclusively and three partially. Plasma was obtained from 3 infants via a heel stick on day 14. Naloxone and naloxone glucuronide were either not detected or detected at concentrations below the limit of quantification in all infant plasma samples at day 14.[ 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.