Loperamide and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

The amount of loperamide that enters milk from a prodrug of loperamide is minimal. Use of loperamide during breastfeeding is unlikely to affect the infant with standard doses.[1,2]

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Maternal Levels. Loperamide has not been studied during breastfeeding, but the loperamide prodrug, loperamide oxide, has been studied in a dosage of 2 doses of 4 mg given 12 hours apart to 6 women 18 to 47 hours after delivery. Median loperamide milk concentrations were 0.18 mcg/L at 12 hours after the first dose, 0.27 mcg/L at 6 hours after the second dose, and 0.19 mcg/L at 24 hours after the second dose.[3] 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.

References

1. Mahadevan U, Kane S. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Technical Review on the Use of Gastrointestinal Medications in Pregnancy. Gastroenterology 2006;131:283-311.16831611 PubMed
2. Schulze H, Esters P, Dignass A. Review article: The management of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis during pregnancy and lactation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014;40:991-1008.25200000 PubMed
3. Nikodem VC, Hofmeyr GJ. Secretion of the antidiarrhoeal agent loperamide oxide in breast milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1992;42:695-6.1623917 PubMed