Is Teduglutide 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 Teduglutide. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Because it is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of 3752 Da, the amount in milk is likely to be very low. Teduglutide is also poorly absorbed orally so absorption by a breastfed infant is unlikely. Two breastfed infants apparently experienced no adverse effects during maternal use of teduglutide, but no long-term data are available. Until more data are available, teduglutide should be used with careful infant monitoring during breastfeeding.
Effects on the breastfed infant
One mother used teduglutide during pregnancy and postpartum while breastfeeding. She breastfed her infant (extent not stated) for 6 months. No mention was made of any adverse effects in the infant.[1]
A woman taking teduglutide 0.05 mg/kg daily because of removal of a portion of her gastrointestinal tract became pregnant and delivered her second healthy infant. She breastfed her infant from birth and the drug was restarted 1 month after delivery. She breastfed (extent not stated) her infant for another 4 months during treatment. The infant experienced no side effects during breastfeeding.[2]
Effects on milk supply
A woman taking teduglutide 0.05 mg/kg daily because of removal of a portion of her gastrointestinal tract became pregnant and delivered her second healthy infant. She breastfed her infant from birth and the drug was restarted 1 month after delivery. She breastfed (extent not stated) her infant for another 4 months during treatment. Her milk production was reported to be good.[2]
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.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Teduglutide” (teduglutide). 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.