Is Lansoprazole 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 Lansoprazole. 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 lansoprazole during breastfeeding. However, lansoprazole has been used safely in newborn infants, so it is unlikely that the amount in breastmilk would be harmful.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
The Spanish pharmacovigilance system found 3 cases of gynecomastia associated with lansoprazole reported during the time period of 1982 to 2006.[1] A retrospective claims database study in the United States found that users of proton pump inhibitors had an increased risk of gynecomastia.[2]
A review article reported that a search of database from the European Pharmacovigilance Centre found 45 cases of gynecomastia, 11 cases of galactorrhea, 3 cases of breast pain and 5 cases of breast enlargement associated with lansoprazole. A search of the WHO global pharmacovigilance database found 123 cases of gynecomastia, 30 cases of galactorrhea, 36 cases of breast pain and 18 cases of breast enlargement associated with lansoprazole.[3]
In a retrospective study, out of total of 127 cases of gynecomastia in of 175 male patients, 11 patients were treated had been treated with lansoprazole.[4]
One case of elevated serum prolactin and galactorrhea was reported in a 21-year-old man. When omeprazole was substituted for lansoprazole, the serum prolactin decreased to the normal range and galactorrhea ceased. Although this case occurred in Spain, it was not included in the report above.[5]
A 13-year-old girl with a recent history of bilateral galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia from omeprazole and domperidone on separate occasions was given lansoprazole to prevent gastrointestinal irritation following intravenous diclofenac for a severe headache. After 3 days of lansoprazole therapy, she again developed galactorrhea and an elevated serum prolactin that returned to normal a week after discontinuing lansoprazole.[6]
A 17-year-old woman using a progestin-containing IUD for 1 year began lansoprazole 15 mg daily and presented after 1 week with bilateral galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia of 92 mcg/L. Seventy-two hours after discontinuation of lansoprazole, galactorrhea ceased. Four months later, serum prolactin was normal at 24.1 mcg/L with no recurrence of galactorrhea. The authors judged the adverse reaction likely to be caused by lansoprazole.[7]
The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
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
Lansoprazole in pregnancy
LactMed covers breastfeeding only. For what the NHS and the US prescribing label say about pregnancy, see:
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Lansoprazole” (LM411). 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.