Is Satralizumab safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Satralizumab. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder received satralizumab 120 mg subcutaneously pregnancy and continued every 4 weeks while breastfeeding. She was also receiving azathioprine 75 mg daily and oral prednisolone beginning at 20 mg daily and tapering to 8 mg daily. She breastfed her infant for 10 months. The infant remained healthy, with no serious infection and normal growth and development.[ 2 ] A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder became pregnant via in vitro fertilization. Postpartum she was taking prednisolone 10 mg daily and satralizumab 120 mg every 4 weeks. Her infant was successfully breastfed (extent not stated) and had no growth or developmental problems as of 10 months old.[ 3 ] A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder received satralizumab 120 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks as well as prednisolone 7 mg daily during lactation. She breastfed her infant for 3 months (extent not stated). On postpartum day 60, the mother developed a transient fever secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The infant also developed fever and tested positive on an antigen test, without respiratory distress. Both recovered without treatment. The infant did not receive live attenuated vaccines during the first 6 months after birth but received all scheduled inactivated vaccines. The infant continued routine follow-up with a pediatrician and no abnormalities were observed.[ 4 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder received satralizumab 120 mg subcutaneously pregnancy and continued every 4 weeks during lactation. Two milk samples obtained at 19 and 26 days after 2 different doses contained undetectable ( 0.2 mg/L) levels of satralizumab.[ 2 ] A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder received satralizumab 120 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks during lactation. Satralizumab levels in breast milk on postpartum day 2 were not measurable ( 0.2 mg/L). After breastmilk was collected to measure the concentration, 120 mg of satralizumab was injected on postpartum day 2. The day after satralizumab injection, the maternal serum concentration increased to 24.1 mg/L, but the concentration in breast milk was still not measurable.[ 3 ] A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder received satralizumab during pregnancy and postpartum in a dose of 120 mg every 4 weeks subcutaneously. Milk samples taken at 3 days postpartum (2 days after the previous dose) and at 50 days postpartum (21 days after the previous dose) both had concentrations in milk of less than 0.2 mg/L.[ 4 ] Infant Levels. A woman with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder received satralizumab 120 mg subcutaneously pregnancy and continued every 4 weeks during breastfeeding. Two infant serum samples obtained at 19 and 26 days after 2 different doses contained undetectable ( 0.2 mg/L) levels of satralizumab.[ 2 ]
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.