Cefazolin use while Breastfeeding

Drugs containing Cefazolin: Ancef, Kefzol

Cefazolin Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding

Summary of Use during Lactation

Cefazolin is acceptable to use during breastfeeding. Limited information indicates that maternal doses of cefazolin up to 2 grams produce low levels in milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally, disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush, has been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. After a single 500 mg dose of cefazolin intramuscularly to 4 women, cefazolin was barely detectable in the mother's milk and not detected in their breastfed infants' serum.[1]

After intramuscular doses of cefazolin 500 mg three times daily in 10 women, the peak concentration of cefazolin in milk was 0.9 mg/L.[2]

Twenty women were given 2 grams of cefazolin intravenously over 10 minutes. Average milk levels were 1.25 mg/L at 2 hours, 1.51 mg/L at 3 hours and 1.16 mg/L at 4 hours after the dose.[3]

After a single dose of 1 gram of cefazolin given intravenously to 15 women who were 1 month postpartum, milk cefazolin levels averaged 0.75 mg/L 2 hours after the dose.[4]

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible Effects on Lactation

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

References

1. Fukada M. Studies on chemotherapy during the perinatal period with special reference to such derivatives of cephalosporin C as cefazolin, cephaloridine and cephalothin. Jpn J Antibiot. 1973;26:197-214. PMID: 4542543

2. von Kobyletzki D, Reither K, Gellen J et al. Pharmakokinetische untersuchungen mit cefazolin in geburtshilfe und gynakologie. Infection. 1974;2 (Suppl 1):60-7.

3. Yoshioka H, Cho K, Takimoto M et al. Transfer of cefazolin into human milk. J Pediatr. 1979;94:151-2. PMID: 758399

4. Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Xu Z. [Tissue and body fluid distribution of antibacterial agents in pregnant and lactating women]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 1997;32(5):288-92. PMID: 9596854

Cefazolin Identification

Substance Name

Cefazolin

CAS Registry Number

25953-19-9

Drug Class

• Antiinfective Agents
• Antibacterial Agents
• Cephalosporins

Administrative Information

LactMed Record Number

43

Information from the National Library of Medicine's LactMed Database.

Last Revision Date

2012-03-01

Disclaimer

Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.

See Also...

• Cefazolin use during Pregnancy
• Cefazolin Consumer Information
• Breastfeeding Support Group
• Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
• Medicine use while Breastfeeding
• Medicine use during Pregnancy

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use and Online Privacy Policy.