Is Ofloxacin safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Ofloxacin. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Ofloxacin was used as part of multidrug regimens to treat two pregnant women with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, one throughout pregnancy and postpartum and the other postpartum only. The infants were breastfed (extent and duration not stated). At age 4.6 and 5.1 years, the children were developing normally except for a mild speech delay in one and hyperactivity in the other.[ 5 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Ten lactating women (time postpartum not stated) were given ofloxacin 400 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 doses. Milk ofloxacin was measured after the third dose. The highest levels averaging 2.41 mg/L occurred 2 hours after the dose. Average milk levels then fell as follows: 1.91 mg/L at 4 hours; 1.25 mg/L at 6 hours; 0.64 mg/L at 9 hours; 0.29 mg/L at 12 hours; and 0.05 mg/L at 24 hours after the dose.[ 4 ] Using the peak milk level data from this study, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an estimated maximum of 0.36 mg/kg daily with this maternal dosage regimen. 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.