Is Nitroprusside safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Nitroprusside. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Several studies have found that breastmilk iodine levels are inversely related to the mothers' blood thiocyanate levels, probably through inhibition of the Na/I symporter by thiocyanate.[ 5 - 8 ] However, a recent study failed to demonstrate such a correlation. The authors felt that the effect of thiocyanate on iodine transport may be less pronounced than previously reported.[ 4 ] These low breastmilk iodine levels might pose a risk of hypothyroidism to breastfed infants whose mothers have low iodine intake.[ 4 - 8 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Nitroprusside is converted with a half-life of about 2 minutes to cyanide and then to thiocyanate in the body. Both of these metabolites have longer half-lives: 7.3 hours for cyanide and an estimated 3 days to 2 weeks for thiocyanate.[ 1 ] Maternal Levels. An older study found that thiocyanate passed into human breastmilk in concentrations from 27% to 50% of maternal serum levels.[ 2 ] A later study found milk levels to range from 16% to 42% of maternal plasma levels.[ 3 ] A 2004 study found values ranging from 42% to 82%,[ 1 ] while a more recent study reported fractional excretion of thiocyanate that ranged between 1.4-14.4%.[ 4 ] 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.