Is Piroxicam safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Piroxicam. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
No adverse effects were found in the breastfed infant of a patient receiving 20 mg of piroxicam daily for 4 months starting the 9th month postpartum.[ 1 ] Four infants 3 to 4.5 months of age remained healthy during long-term therapy of their mothers with piroxicam 20 mg daily.[ 2 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels . Peak milk levels of 170 and 220 mcg/L were found in the milk of 2 women who were taking piroxicam 20 and 40 mg daily, respectively. The time of the peak milk levels were 12 and 4 hours after the dose, respectively, in the 2 women.[ 1 ] Maximum milk piroxicam levels averaging 40 mcg/L were found in 3 women during the first week of therapy with oral piroxicam 20 mg daily. After steady-state was attained in these 3 women plus one additional woman, milk levels averaged 102 mcg/L during the first 12 hours after the dose and 73 mcg/L during the period of 13 to 24 hours after the dose. A nursing infant would receive an estimated average 3.5% and maximum 6.3% of the weight-adjusted maternal dosage.[ 2 ] Infant Levels . No piroxicam could be detected in the serum of a 13-month-old infant whose mother had been taking 20 mg daily of piroxicam for 4 months.[ 1 ] Neither piroxicam nor its conjugates could be detected ( 15 mcg/L) in the urine of one infant after 52 days of maternal therapy with 20 mg daily.[ 2 ]
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.