Is Sevelamer 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 Sevelamer. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Because sevelamer is not orally absorbed, sevelamer does not reach the breastmilk or adversely affect the breastfed infant after maternal administration. A suspension of sevelamer has been added directly to breastmilk to lower the phosphorus concentration of milk. This could be a useful maneuver for breastmilk use in infants with renal impairment; however, clinical use has not been reported. In addition to lowering average phosphorus content by 65% to over 80%, the calcium content of breastmilk was reduced by almost as much and the casein content also decreased somewhat. With sevelamer hydrochloride, the chloride content increased by 60% and the pH changed from 6.8 to 7.8, although pH appears to rebound over time.[1,2] Addition of large amounts of sevelamer to artificial formula also lowers the copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sulfur and zinc concentrations by about 20%.[3] Similar reductions might occur with breastmilk.
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.
“No published information” means the studies do not exist yet — not that Sevelamer 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 “Sevelamer” (LM1094). 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.