Is Famotidine 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 Famotidine. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.

Summary of use during breastfeeding

Famotidine doses in breastmilk result in infant dosages that are lower than those used in newborn infants. Famotidine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.

Effects on the breastfed infant

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

Effects on milk supply

Histamine H2-receptor blockade is known to stimulate prolactin secretion.[3] Oral famotidine usually does not affect serum prolactin levels, but rare cases of hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea have been reported.[4,5] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

Levels in milk

Maternal Levels. Eight women who had "recently given birth" (not defined, but apparently within a few days postpartum) were given famotidine 40 mg orally. An average peak breastmilk level of 72 mcg/L occurred 6 hours after the dose.[1] Using the peak milk level data from this study, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an estimated maximum of 0.01 mg/kg daily with this maternal dosage regimen or less than 2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.

Seven women were given oral famotidine 40 mg daily in 2 or 4 divided doses for 3 days at 12 to 16 weeks postpartum. Average concentrations of famotidine in breastmilk were 53 and 55 mcg/L at 3 and 6 hours after a dose, respectively.[2]

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 “Famotidine” (LM398). 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.