Is Ustekinumab safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Ustekinumab. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
One woman receiving ustekinumab for severe psoriasis breastfed her infant. No adverse effects were reported in the infant, although the dosage of ustekinumab and the extent of breastfeeding were not reported.[ 18 ] In a multi-center study of women with inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy (the PIANO registry), 6 women received a ustekinumab while breastfeeding their infants. Among those who received ustekinumab or another biologic agent while breastfeeding, infant growth, development or infection rate was no different from infants whose mothers received no treatment. An additional 68 women received a biologic agent plus a thiopurine. Infant outcomes were similar in this group.[ 12 ] A woman with treatment-refractory Crohn s disease was treated during pregnancy with ustekinumab until the third trimester. It was reinitiated 7 weeks postpartum with a loading dose of 390 mg intravenously, then 90 mg every 8 weeks. She breastfed her infant (extent and duration not reported). Follow-up of the infant at 12 months of age was normal.[ 13 ] A woman with severe psoriasis was treated with ustekinumab 45 mg subcutaneously every 12 weeks until pregnancy was confirmed. After delivery ustekinumab was restarted while she was breastfeeding (extent and duration not stated). The infant reportedly had no complications and a normal growth curve.[ 19 ] Three mothers taking ustekinumab for Crohn s disease breastfed (extent not stated) their infants. Their dosages were 90 mg every 4 weeks in one and 90 mg every 8 weeks in the other two. Infants were followed for 3 to 6 months and no developmental delays or excess infections of hospital admissions were noted.[ 14 ] A pregnant woman with ulcerative colitis received ustekinumab 90 mg 4 times during pregnancy with the last dose at 29 weeks gestation. She was also treated with mesalamine 4.8 grams daily during pregnancy and lactation. Postpartum, amlodipine 10 mg daily was begun for hypertension and at 5 days postpartum ampicillin-sulbactam w
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. In a multi-center study of women with inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy (the PIANO registry), 6 women receiving ustekinumab provided milk samples at 1, 12, 24, and 48 hours after drug administration. Some also provided samples at 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours after drug administration. Four of the women had detectable ( 0.01 mg/L) ustekinumab levels in milk. Peak concentrations in breastmilk ranged from 0.72 to 1.57 mg/L and occurred at 12 to 72 hours after the dose. Only 3 of the women had a detectable concentration in milk beyond 48 hours.[ 12 ] A woman with treatment-refractory Crohn s disease was treated during pregnancy with ustekinumab until the third trimester. It was reinitiated 7 weeks postpartum with a loading dose of 390 mg intravenously, then 90 mg every 8 weeks. A breastmilk sample taken 16 weeks after the dose was 3.2 mg/L. After the third dose, breastmilk levels of ustekinumab were 0.82 mg/L within the first day after the dose, 0.18 mg/L at 3 weeks after the third dose and 0.16 mg/L at 4 weeks after the third dose.[ 13 ] Three mothers taking ustekinumab for Crohn s disease had breastmilk levels of ustekinumab measured 1 hour after a dose and sequentially for up to 2 weeks after the dose. In one patient who was receiving a dose of 90 mg every 4 weeks, the trough milk sample contained 43 mcg/L of ustekinumab and attained a peak level of 43.1 mcg/L two days after the dose. The milk level dropped to 16.7 mcg/L at 4 days after the dose, then rose again to 26.3 mcg/L at 5 days after the dose. The other two women were receiving a dosage of 90 mg every 8 weeks. One had a trough ustekinumab milk level of 40 mcg/L. After the dose, the milk level gradually rose to a level of 45.1 mcg/L at 6 days after the dose. The third woman, who had not had any doses during pregnancy, had a trough milk value of 3 mcg/L. It rose to a peak of 7.4 mcg/L on day 3 and then plateaued between 5.4 and 6.6 mcg/L on days 4 to 6 after the dose.[ 14 ] A pregnant woman
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.