Sucralfate and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

No data are available on sucralfate use during breastfeeding; however, it is virtually unabsorbed orally. Most authorities consider sucralfate acceptable to use during breastfeeding.[1-4] No special precautions are required, including following application to the nipples in a skin cream.

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 study of mother with cracked nipples compared the effects of soft paraffin (petrolatum) (n = 47) to a commercial cream containing sucralfate, zinc and copper (Cicalfate-Avene, France) (n = 68). Reduction of nipple cracking judged by a blinded dermatologist was 3.3 to 5.3 times greater in the sucralfate group compared to the petrolatum group.[5]

Alternative drugs to consider

Antacids, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole

References

1. LewisJH WeingoldAB Committee of FDA-Related Matters American College of Gastroenterology The use of gastrointestinal drugs during pregnancy and lactation. Am J Gastroenterol 1985 80 912 23 2864852 PubMed
2. HagemannTM Gastrointestinal medications and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact 1998 14 259 62 10205441 PubMed
3. BroussardCN RichterJE Treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy and lactation: What are the safest therapy options? Drug Saf 1998 19 325 37 9804446 PubMed
4. RichterJE Review article: The management of heartburn in pregnancy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2005 22 749 57 16225482 PubMed
5. TalaeeR MohammadzadehM RahimiH Comparing the combination of copper, zinc, and sucralfate (Cicalfate®) with white soft paraffin in the treatment of cracked nipples. Iran J Dermatol 2021 24 18 23