Is Thallous Chloride Tl 201 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 Thallous Chloride Tl 201. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
Information in this record refers to the use of thallous chloride Tl 201 as a diagnostic agent. Most experts recommend a period of breastfeeding interruption after maternal thallous chloride Tl 201, although some disagreement exists on the exact duration, probably because of the long physical half-life of the radioisotope and variable elimination of the drug from the body. Most current guidelines recommend a breastfeeding abstinence period of 4 days.[1-3] During the period of interruption, the breasts should be emptied regularly and completely. If the mother has expressed and saved milk prior to the examination, she can feed it to the infant during the period of nursing interruption.[4,5] The milk that is pumped by the mother during the time of breastfeeding interruption can either be discarded or stored frozen and given to the infant after 10 physical half-lives, or about 30 days, have elapsed. After doses greater than 150 MBq, consideration of temporarily limiting close contact between the mother and infant.[5]
Mothers concerned about the level of radioactivity in their milk could ask to have it tested at a nuclear medicine facility at their hospital. When the radioactivity is at background levels, she may safely resume breastfeeding. A method for measuring milk radioactivity and determining the time when a mother can safely resume breastfeeding has been published.[6]
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
Thallium Tl 201 decays by electron capture with principal photon energies of 69 to 80 and 167 keV and a physical half-life of 3.04 days.[2] The maximum effective half-life of thallous chloride Tl 201 is 43 hours.[5]
Alternatives LactMed lists
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Thallous Chloride Tl 201” (LM1128). 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.