Is Chlordiazepoxide 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 Chlordiazepoxide. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
No information is available on the use of chlordiazepoxide during breastfeeding. Because the drug and metabolites could accumulate in the breastfed infant, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If chlordiazepoxide is used, monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain.
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
Chlordiazepoxide is metabolized to active compounds including demoxepam, desmethylchlordiazepoxide, desmethyldiazepam, and oxazepam. Chlordiazepoxide has a long half-life of 5 to 30 hours, and the half-lives of its metabolites range from 14 to 100 hours.
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.
Alternatives LactMed lists
“No published information” means the studies do not exist yet — not that Chlordiazepoxide is known to be harmful, and not that it is known to be safe. Your prescriber or pharmacist can weigh your baby's age and whether a better-studied alternative would do the same job. Worth asking before stopping a medicine you need.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Chlordiazepoxide” (LM1294). 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.