Frovatriptan and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

There is no published experience with frovatriptan during breastfeeding. If frovatriptan is required by the mother of an older infant, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding, but until more data become available, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.[1] Painful, burning nipples and breast pain have been reported after doses of sumatriptan and other triptans. This has occasionally been accompanied by a decrease in milk production.

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

A review of four European adverse reaction databases found 26 reported cases of painful, burning nipples, painful breasts, breast engorgement and/or painful milk ejection in women who took a triptan while nursing. Pain was sometimes intense and occasionally led to decreased milk production. Pain generally subsided with time as the drug was eliminated. The authors proposed that triptans may cause vasoconstriction of the arteries in the breast, nipples, and the arteries surrounding the alveoli and milk ducts, causing a painful sensation and a painful milk ejection reflex.[2]

Alternative drugs to consider

Eletriptan, Rizatriptan, Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan

References

1. Amundsen S, Nordeng H, Nezvalova-Henriksen K, et al. Pharmacological treatment of migraine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Nat Rev Neurol 2015;11:209-19.25776823 PubMed
2. Conijn M, Maas V, van Tuyl M, et al. Breastfeeding-related adverse drug reactions of triptans: A descriptive analysis using four pharmacovigilance databases. Breastfeed Med 2024;19:645-51.38563407 PubMed