Is Octreotide 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 Octreotide. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
The excretion of octreotide into breastmilk has not been studied. However, because it has a high molecular weight of 1019 daltons it is likely to be poorly excreted into breastmilk. It is poorly absorbed orally and has been safely administered directly to infants by injection, so it is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant.[1] At least 3 infants have been successfully breastfed with no adverse effects reported. Until more data are available, octreotide should be used in nursing mothers with careful infant monitoring, especially if the infant is under 2 months of age.
Effects on the breastfed infant
A woman with acromegaly took long-acting octreotide (Sandostatin LAR; dose not stated) every 6 weeks postpartum while breastfeeding. At 6 months postpartum, the frequency of the injections was increased to every 4 weeks. She breastfed her infant (extent not stated) for 12 months. At age 5 years the child had developed normally.[3]
Effects on milk supply
A woman with acromegaly received octreotide 900 to 1200 mg daily divided in multiple administration doses during pregnancy and continued postpartum (dose not stated). She breast-fed her baby for 4 months with no apparent problem. One mother was treated for acromegaly during pregnancy and postpartum with octreotide She breastfed (extent not stated) her infant for 4 months with no apparent problem.[4]
A pregnant woman with acromegaly started long-acting octreotide (LAR) 10 mg monthly at 12 weeks gestation. After delivery, she breastfed her until 6 weeks postpartum when she required an increase in octreotide LAR to 20 mg monthly. She continued to breastfeed successfully on octreotide.[5]
Two women with acromegaly were treated with depot octreotide 20 mg monthly during pregnancy and postpartum. One successfully breastfed for 4 months and the other for 6 months.[6]
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. A woman with acromegaly became pregnant while taking octreotide. During pregnancy she increased her dose to octreotide doses up to 100 mcg injected every 1 to 2 hours (1200 to 2400 mcg/daily) to keep herself free from headaches. The concentration of octreotide in her colostrum was 4.6 mcg/L. The dose at the time of sampling and exact timing of the sample were not provided.[2]
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Octreotide” (LM818). 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.