Is Tetracycline safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Tetracycline. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
No adverse effects were noted in an unspecified number of breastfed infants whose mothers were taking oral tetracycline 1, 1.5 or 2 grams daily for 3 days. Ages of the infants and extent of breastfeeding were not stated.[ 1 ] In one study, 5 infants breastfed during maternal therapy with tetracycline 500 mg 4 times daily with no adverse effects observed.[ 2 ] In an observational study of 251 women, 23.8% of nursing mothers received tetracycline during breastfeeding. No gross adverse effect occurred in any of the breastfed infants.[ 4 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels . In a study using a microbiologic assay, milk tetracycline levels were in an unspecified number of nursing mothers at 9 am after various dosages of tetracycline during the previous days. Whether they had mastitis and the time postpartum were not stated. Milk levels increased to 2.5 mg/L after a daily dose of 1 gram orally for 3 days. Milk levels increased to 2 mg/L after a daily dose of 1.5 grams orally for 2 days. Milk levels increased to 2.5 mg/L after a daily dose of 2 grams orally for 3 days.[ 1 ] Five women were given oral tetracycline 500 mg 4 times a day for 3 days. Milk levels ranged from 0.43 to 2.58 mg/L (times not specified).[ 2 ] After a single dose of 150 mg of tetracycline orally in 2 women, milk levels of tetracycline averaged 0.7 mg at 2 and 6 hours after the dose and had an average peak of 0.8 mg/L 4 hours after the dose.[ 3 ] Infant Levels . Five women were given oral tetracycline 500 mg 4 times a day for 3 days. Their infants were allowed to nurse and tetracycline was undetectable ( 50 mcg/L) in the infants serum.[ 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.