Is Chenodiol safe while breastfeeding?

Summary of use during breastfeeding

Chenodiol (chenodeoxycholic acid) and its conjugates are naturally present in human milk, with higher milk levels of chenodiol conjugates in obesity. Chenodiol has not been measured in milk after administration as a drug. Chenodiol in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract enhances intestinal motility. No special precautions are required if mothers are taking chenodiol, but observe the infant for diarrhea.

Effects on the breastfed infant

Chenodiol acts directly on enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract to stimulate 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion, which regulates gastrointestinal motility. Chenodiol stool levels were higher in breastfed infants with increased defecation frequency than in infants with normal or lower frequency.[2]

Effects on milk supply

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

Levels in milk

Maternal Levels. In a small study of women who were 2 to 3 days postpartum who were not taking any exogenous bile acids, obese women had bile acid levels in milk that were about equal to those in plasma, unlike women of normal weight who had milk levels of about 10% of plasma levels. Chenodiol conjugate levels were higher in the milk of obese mothers than normal-weight mothers.[1]

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

Alternatives LactMed lists

• Ursodiol