Is Ergonovine safe while breastfeeding?

Summary of use during breastfeeding

Ergonovine is no longer marketed in the United States. Ergonovine given in the immediate postpartum period lowers serum basal prolactin and suckling-induced prolactin possibly increases. However, the prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed. Ergonovine appears to decrease the rate of breastfeeding. Ergonovine is probably best avoided in mothers who wish to nurse, relying instead on suckling-induced oxytocin release to hasten uterine involution.

Effects on the breastfed infant

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

Effects on milk supply

In one study, a single oral dose of ergonovine maleate 0.2 mg in 12 nonbreastfeeding women on day 3 postpartum caused a 10 to 20% drop in average serum prolactin levels between 0.5 and 2.5 hours after the dose. The authors expressed concern that repeated doses of ergonovine could suppress lactation.[1]

Ten women who were given ergonovine 0.2 mg 3 times daily from day 1 to 7 postpartum were compared to 6 women who did not receive the drug. None of the women breastfed their infants. Serum prolactin levels were significantly lower in the treated women by day 2 postpartum and persisted through the 7 days of the study. Seven of the 10 treated women developed breast engorgement and had milk letdown and 3 had progressive inhibition of lactation. In 2 additional women who were nursing their infants, a single dose of 0.2 mg of ergonovine intravenously blunted the response of serum prolactin to suckling.[2]

In a nonrandomized study, 11 women with normal deliveries were given an intramuscular injection of either oxytocin 5 units plus ergonovine 0.5 mg (n = 5) or 5 units of oxytocin alone (n = 6). Serum prolactin levels were lower in the women given ergonovine from 0.5 to 2.5 hours.[3]

In a randomized, but nonblinded, controlled trial, women thought to be at low risk of postpartum hemorrhage were given either ergonovine 0.5 mg intravenously following birth of the infant (n = 197) or no drug (n = 135). Serum prolactin levels obtained in the period of 48 to 72 hours postpartum did not differ between the groups, but fewer of those who received ergonovine were still breastfeeding at 4 weeks postpartum than those who did not.[4]

A retrospective review of obstetrical records of 18,165 records of mothers giving birth in Wales found that use of intravenous or intramuscular ergonovine during the third stage of labor as a uterotonic reduced the odds of the mother breastfeeding at 48 hours postpartum. The reduction was 36% in the overall sample and 49% for primiparous mothers.[5]

Levels in milk

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

• Methylergonovine