Is ivermectin safe while breastfeeding?

Understanding Ivermectin Use While Breastfeeding
Ivermectin, a medication commonly used to treat various parasitic infections, has raised questions regarding its safety for breastfeeding mothers. As more women seek effective treatments while nursing, understanding the implications of using ivermectin during this period is crucial.
Safety Profile of Ivermectin in Breastfeeding
Research indicates that ivermectin is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the drug is poorly excreted into breast milk after oral administration. This means that the amounts ingested by breastfed infants are minimal and are not expected to cause any adverse effects in infants over seven days old .
While specific data on the excretion of ivermectin into breast milk after topical application is limited, it is believed that the amounts would be even lower than those from oral administration. This suggests that breastfeeding mothers using topical ivermectin may have an even lower risk of affecting their infants.
Clinical Insights and Recommendations
Clinical observations support the notion that the risk to infants is low. A study highlighted that despite ivermectin’s widespread use for treating conditions like strongyloidiasis, there is a lack of significant adverse effects reported in breastfed infants. The concentrations of ivermectin found in breast milk are typically low, reinforcing the idea that breastfeeding while on this medication is relatively safe.
Moreover, the Drugs and Lactation Database notes that the small amounts of ivermectin that might be present in breast milk would not be expected to lead to any harmful effects in infants. This aligns with the general consensus among healthcare professionals that the benefits of treating the mother with ivermectin can outweigh potential risks to the breastfeeding child.
Conclusion
In summary, ivermectin is considered safe for use during breastfeeding, with minimal transfer to breast milk and low risk of adverse effects in infants. However, as with any medication, it is essential for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to weigh the benefits and risks specific to their health situations. This collaborative approach ensures that both the mother’s health and the infant’s safety are prioritized.

Can a breastfeeding mother take ivermectin?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Limited data indicate that ivermectin is poorly excreted into breastmilk after oral administration. Amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants over 7 days of age.

What can I take for parasites while breastfeeding?

Mebendazole (Vermox®, Ovex®, Pripsen tablets®).
The BNF states that the amount excreted into breastmilk is too small to be harmful although the manufacturer advises avoidance under the limitations of licensing. For explanation see bfn.

How long does ivermectin stay in your system?

Ivermectin is metabolized in the liver, and ivermectin and/or its metabolites are excreted almost exclusively in the feces over an estimated 12 days, with less than 1% of the administered dose excreted in the urine. The plasma half-life of ivermectin in man is approximately 18 hours following oral administration.

Which of the following medications should be avoided in a breastfeeding mother?

ANSWER: Only a few drugs pose a clinically significant risk to breastfed babies. In general, antineoplastics, drugs of abuse, some anticonvulsants, ergot alkaloids, and radiopharmaceuticals should not be taken, and levels of amiodarone, cyclosporine, and lithium should be monitored.

Is ivermectin safe for lactating dogs?

Although ivermectin is considered safe in pregnant and nursing dogs, the other drugs in this combination produce haven’t been tested in pregnant and nursing dogs. Your veterinarian will advise you on the safety of ivermectin use in your dog.

What anti parasite medication is safe while breastfeeding?

Both pyrantel and mebendazole are safe to use to treat worm infections while breastfeeding as they are poorly absorbed from the gut and unlikely to be passed into breast milk.

How long does ivermectin stay in milk?

One study found that an SC injection of 0.2 mg/kg BW ivermectin produced milk residues above 5 ppb for 16 d, with a milk elimination half-life of 4.7 d (1). Data from a clinical case of ivermectin use in dairy cows demonstrated a similar milk elimination half-life of approximately 4.2 d (4).

How much ivermectin do you take to get rid of parasites?

The dose is usually 200 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight taken as a single dose. Each tablet contains 3 milligrams (mg) of ivermectin. Weighing 80 kg or more—200 mcg/kg of body weight taken as a single dose. Weighing 66 to 79 kg—5 tablets taken as a single dose.

Which worm medicine can a breastfeeding mother take?

The use of mebendazole in lactating women is quite common for the treatment of parasitic infections and is generally considered safe.

What happens if you take ivermectin while pregnant?

It is unclear whether exposure to ivermectin during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths (odds ratio [OR] 1·15 [95% CI 0·75–1·78] with very low certainty of evidence for the four observational studies and 0·62 [0·18–2·14] with very low certainty of evidence for the RCT) or congenital …