What is the half-life of diazepam in breast milk?

Understanding the Half-Life of Diazepam in Breast Milk
Diazepam, commonly known by its brand name Valium, is a benzodiazepine that is often prescribed for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. One of the critical considerations for nursing mothers is how this medication affects breast milk and, consequently, their infants.
Half-Life of Diazepam and Its Metabolites
The half-life of diazepam itself is approximately 46 hours, while its active metabolite, N-desmethyldiazepam, has a significantly longer half-life of up to 100 hours. This extended duration in the body is particularly important for breastfeeding mothers, as it indicates that diazepam and its metabolites can accumulate in breast milk over time.
Excretion into Breast Milk
Research indicates that diazepam is excreted into breast milk, with concentrations of both diazepam and its metabolite nordiazepam being detectable. Studies have shown that milk levels of diazepam can range from 17 to 39 mcg/L, while nordiazepam levels can vary from 19 to 52 mcg/L. These levels suggest that repeated doses of diazepam can lead to significant accumulation in the serum of breastfed infants, raising concerns about potential exposure.
Implications for Breastfeeding
Given the long half-lives of diazepam and its metabolites, timing breastfeeding in relation to medication doses may not effectively mitigate the risk of infant exposure. This means that even if a mother waits several hours after taking diazepam before breastfeeding, the drug may still be present in her milk at levels that could affect her infant.
Conclusion
For nursing mothers prescribed diazepam, it is crucial to consult healthcare providers about the risks and benefits of continuing breastfeeding while on this medication. The long half-lives of both diazepam and its metabolites necessitate careful consideration to ensure the safety and well-being of the infant.

Is it bad to breastfeed after getting angry?

Stress May Affect Cortisol Levels
Studies have shown that breast milk from distressed mothers may contain higher levels of cortisol. As your stress level rises, the level of cortisol in your breast milk also increases. When your baby nurses, they may consume some of this extra cortisol.

What is the half-life of diazepam?

The half-life of diazepam, in general, is 30–56 hours. Peak plasma levels occur between 30 and 90 minutes after oral administration and between 30 and 60 minutes after intramuscular administration; after rectal administration, peak plasma levels occur after 10 to 45 minutes.

How long do benzos stay in breastmilk?

There isn’t a clear amount of time for how long you should pump and discard your milk if you’re taking benzodiazepines. Pump and discard your milk for at least 2-4 hours after taking benzodiazepines. It’s probably better to wait longer.

How long after diazepam can you breastfeed?

After a single dose of diazepam, as for sedation before a procedure or for a seizure, there is usually no need to wait to resume breastfeeding, although with a newborn or preterm infant, a cautious approach would be to wait a period of 6 to 8 hours before resuming nursing.

How can I reduce my baby’s exposure to drugs in breast milk?

Timing of feeds

1. give the mother’s dose immediately after the infant has been fed with the aim of avoiding feeding at peak milk concentrations; or.
2. withhold breastfeeding until after a suitable washout period of the medicine. This is most appropriate for short courses of a hazardous medicine.

Can I give my toddler diazepam while breastfeeding?

The long half-life of diazepam and its active metabolites increases the risk of accumulation in breastfed infants. Adverse effects reported include sedation and poor feeding and weight loss. Long term use should be avoided during breastfeeding if possible.

What is the elimination time of diazepam?

Dosage and Frequency
In general, a drug’s half-life is the same no matter what dosage is taken. Because diazepam has a 48-hour half-life, and it takes five half-lives for the body to completely eliminate a drug, diazepam is usually cleared within 10 days.

What is the safest benzodiazepine in breastfeeding?

There is limited published evidence of use in breastfeeding which shows very small amounts are found in breast milk. Oxazepam is a preferred choice because it is a shorter acting benzodiazepine. It is also the least lipid soluble, which accounts for its low levels in milk.

How long does it take for diazepam to wear off?

The actual physiological effects of diazepam will only last between 4 to 6 hours, but because it is a very long-acting benzodiazepine, the drug stays in your system for several days. The half-life of Valium is 20-80 hours.

Is diazepam excreted in breast milk?

As for Diazepam, about 0.8% – 7.1% of your dose will enter milk. This too is pretty low. Just watch your infant for sedation. If so, you might want to back off some of your doses. Its unlikely these will affect your infant, particularly at 6 months of age. Tom Hale Ph. D.