Is Pancrelipase 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 Pancrelipase. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Pancrelipase has been used in mothers of breastfed infants with apparent allergy to proteins in breastmilk derived from the maternal diet. This technique seems to have improved symptoms of egg allergy and cow’s milk allergy, such as blood in the stool and colic.[1-3] Pancreatic enzymes are not appreciably absorbed from the mother’s gastrointestinal tract, so they should not reach the infant. Expert opinion considers use of pancrelipase to be acceptable during breastfeeding.[4,5]
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
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.
“No published information” means the studies do not exist yet — not that Pancrelipase is known to be harmful, and not that it is known to be safe. Your prescriber or pharmacist can weigh your baby's age and whether a better-studied alternative would do the same job. Worth asking before stopping a medicine you need.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Pancrelipase” (pancrelipase). 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.