Itraconazole and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

No information is available on the clinical use of itraconazole during breastfeeding. However, limited data indicate that maternal itraconazole produces levels in milk that are less than the 5 mg/kg daily doses that have been recommended to treat infants. Until more data become available, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If itraconazole is used during breastfeeding, monitoring of the infant’s liver enzymes should be considered, especially with long courses of therapy.

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Maternal Levels. An unpublished study reported 2 healthy volunteers who each took 2 oral doses of itraconazole 200 mg 12 hours apart. Milk samples were obtained with a breast pump at 4, 24, and 48 hours after the second dose. The average milk concentrations of itraconazole were 70.2, 27.7, and 16.2 mcg/L, respectively. At 72 hours, the milk level was 20.1 mcg/L in one woman and not detectable (<5 mcg/L) in the other. However, steady-state was probably not attained at the time of sampling, and metabolites including the active hydroxyitraconazole were not measured.[1] Using data reported in the literature, including the above source, researchers estimated that fully breastfed infants between 3 and 12 months of age would receive 1.48% of the mother's weight-adjusted dosage of itraconazole and attain a plasma concentration of 0.77% of the mother's plasma concentration.[2] 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

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

Alternative drugs to consider

Fluconazole

References

1. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, et al. Drugs in pregnancy and lactation, 11th ed. Baltimore. Williams & Wilkins. 2017.
2. McNamaraPJ AbbassiM Neonatal exposure to drugs in breast milk. Pharm Res 2004 21 555 66 15139511 PubMed