Is Iodohippurate Sodium I 125 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 Iodohippurate Sodium I 125. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.

Summary of use during breastfeeding

Information in this record refers to the use of iodohippurate sodium I 125 (ortho-iodohippurate sodium I 125; I 125 OIH) as a kidney function diagnostic agent. International experts recommend nursing the infant just before administration of the radiopharmaceutical and interrupting breastfeeding for 12 to 18 hours after the dose.[1-3] If the mother has expressed and saved milk prior to the examination, she can feed it to the infant during the period of nursing interruption.[1,4,5]

Mothers concerned about the level of radioactivity in their milk could ask to have it tested at a nuclear medicine facility at their hospital. When the radioactivity is at a safe level, she may resume breastfeeding. A method for measuring milk radioactivity and determining the time when a mother can safely resume breastfeeding has been published.[6]

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

I 125 is a low-energy pure gamma emitter with a physical half-life of 59.4 days.[2] The effective half-life of I 125 OIH averages 4.8 to 5 hours.[3,6,7] About 2% of an administered dose is excreted into breastmilk.[3]

Alternatives LactMed lists

Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Iodohippurate Sodium I 125” (LM669). 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.