Is Candesartan safe while breastfeeding?

Here is what LactMed, the Drugs and Lactation Database published by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reports about Candesartan. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.

Summary of use during breastfeeding

Preliminary evidence suggests that candesartan passes poorly into milk and is barely detectable in the plasma of breastfed infants. Use of candesartan is not a reason to discontinue nursing, but use caution in newborn and preterm infants.

Effects on the breastfed infant

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

Effects on milk supply

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

Levels in milk

Maternal Levels. Three women taking candesartan for at least 2 weeks donated several milk samples, either as fore-and hindmilk samples or as a total milk collection at each time, over a 24-hour period after taking a dose of the drug. Two women were taking 8 mg daily and one was taking 32 mg daily. The peak milk level was 3.78 mcg/L with the 32 mg dose and 0.69 and 1.05 mcg/L with the 8 mg doses. Peak milk times were about 7.75, 8, and 9.25 hours after the dose. The authors estimated that the infant would receive a weight-adjusted maternal dosage between 0.08 and 0.1%.[1]

Infant Levels. Two infants aged 8 and 13 months were breasted (extent not stated) by mothers taking candesartan 8 mg daily. Blood samples were taken at about 2.5 and 3.5 hours after the maternal doses (time of nursing not reported). Plasma candesartan concentrations were less than 0.2 mcg/L in both infants.[1]

Alternatives LactMed lists

Candesartan in pregnancy

LactMed covers breastfeeding only. For what the NHS and the US prescribing label say about pregnancy, see:

Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Candesartan” (LM727). LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.