Drugs in lactation Source: LactMed

Resveratrol and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trans-trihydroxystilbene) is an antioxidant found in numerous plant species and in red wine. Resveratrol has no specific lactation-related uses. In general, it is used to prevent heart disease, cancer, and other diseases associated with aging, although high-quality studies are lacking. Resveratrol appears to be relatively free from adverse reactions. However, no data exist on the excretion of resveratrol into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of resveratrol in nursing mothers or infants. Resveratrol supplements usually contain hundreds of times the amounts found in wine or other foods, so their safety during breastfeeding cannot be assured. It is probably best to avoid the use of red wine as a source of resveratrol during breastfeeding. Refer to the LactMed record on Alcohol for details. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information about dietary supplements is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.

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

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

Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NCBI Bookshelf. Check LactMed for the most recent revision.

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