Is Cloxacillin 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 Cloxacillin. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Limited information indicates that cloxacillin produces low levels in milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush have been reported with penicillins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Cloxacillin is acceptable in nursing mothers.
Effects on the breastfed infant
In a telephone follow-up study, 10 nursing mothers reported taking cloxacillin (dosage unspecified). Two mothers reported diarrhea in their infants. No rashes or candidiasis were reported among the exposed infants.[2]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. No studies have reported milk levels after oral cloxacillin. After a single intramuscular dose of 500 mg of cloxacillin in 2 women, milk levels ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 mg/L between 1 and 6 hours after the dose.[1]
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternatives LactMed lists
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Cloxacillin” (LM74). 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.