Dopamine and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

No information is available on the use of dopamine during breastfeeding. Because of its poor oral bioavailability and short half-life, any dopamine in milk is unlikely to affect the infant. Dopamine reduces serum prolactin in nonnursing women, but no information is available on its effect on milk production in nursing mothers.

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date. Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in breastfed infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Intravenous dopamine infusion in doses of 2 to 5 mcg/kg/minute given to nonnursing subjects and in women with hyperprolactinemia decreases serum prolactin concentrations.[1-5] However, relevant published information on the effect of intravenous dopamine on milk production in nursing mothers was not found as of the revision date. The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

References

1. Crosignani PG, Reschini E, Peracchi M, et al. Failure of dopamine infusion to suppress the plasma prolactin response to sulpiride in normal and hyperprolactinemic subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1977;45:841-4.410826
2. Judd SJ, Rigg LA, Yen SS. The effects of ovariectomy and estrogen treatment on the dopamine inhibition of gonadotropin and prolactin release. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1979;49:182-4.572372
3. Leblanc H, Lachelin GC, Abu-Fadil S, et al. Effects of dopamine infusion on pituitary hormone secretion in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1976;43:668-74.956350
4. Massara F, Camanni F, Vergano V, et al. Inhibition of thyrotropin and prolactin secretion by dopamine in man. J Endocrinol Invest 1978;1:25-30.573767
5. Nicoletti I, Filipponi P, Sfrappini M, et al. Catecholamines and pituitary function. I. Effects of catecholamine synthesis inhibition and subsequent catecholamine infusion on gonadotropin and prolactin serum levels in normal cycling women and in women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea. Horm Res 1984;19:158-70.6425187 PubMed