Is Probenecid safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Probenecid. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
A woman with mastitis received 3 days of intravenous cephalothin, followed by 16 days of probenecid 500 mg and cephalexin 500 mg 4 times daily for 16 days. Her infant developed green liquid stools, severe diarrhea, discomfort and crying. The authors judged the effects to be probably related to the cephalothin and cephalexin in milk rather than the probenecid.[ 2 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. A woman was given probenecid 500 mg orally 4 times daily to enhance cephalexin serum levels. After 16 days of therapy at 4.5 weeks postpartum, 12 samples of breastmilk (6 pairs of fore- and hindmilk) were collected over a 16-hour period. The average concentration of probenecid in milk was 964 mcg/L, corresponding to an infant dosage of 145 mcg/kg daily and 0.7% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.[ 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.