Naltrexone use while Breastfeeding
Drugs containing Naltrexone: Vivitrol, Revia, Embeda, Depade
Naltrexone Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Limited data indicate that naltrexone is minimally excreted into breastmilk. If naltrexone is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.
Drug Levels
Naltrexone is used as maintenance treatment of opiate dependence in opiate-detoxified patients. Peak plasma levels of 40 to 50 mcg/L at 1 hour after the dose and average plasma levels of 3 to 5 mcg/L have been reported in adults taking daily maintenance doses. Oral bioavailability is 5 to 40% in adults. Naltrexone is metabolized to active beta-naltrexol and to other inactive metabolites.
Maternal Levels. One lactating woman who was 1.5 months postpartum and taking 50 mg of oral naltrexone daily during pregnancy and lactation had her milk sampled several times between 3.7 and 23 hours after her dose. Naltrexone milk levels were undetectable (<2 mcg/L) by 8 hours after the dose while beta-naltrexol milk levels remained detectable throughout the study period and averaged 46 mcg/L. The half-life of elimination from milk was 2.5 and 7.7 hours for naltrexone and beta-naltrexol, respectively. The authors reported that an exclusively breastfed infant would receive about 7 mcg/kg daily of naltrexone including the active metabolite, equivalent to 0.86% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.[1]
Infant Levels. A 1.5 month-old breastfed male infant of a mother who was taking 50 mg of oral naltrexone daily during pregnancy and lactation had undetectable (<2 mcg/L) plasma levels of both naltrexone and beta-naltrexol 9.5 hours after the maternal dose, 30 minutes after starting a feeding.[1]
Effects in Breastfed Infants
A 1.5-month-old breastfed infant of a mother who was taking 50 mg of oral naltrexone daily during pregnancy and lactation was reportedly healthy with no naltrexone-related adverse effects.[1]
Possible Effects on Lactation
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternate Drugs to Consider
References
1. Chan CF, Page-Sharp M, Kristensen JH et al. Transfer of naltrexone and its metabolite 6,beta-naltrexol into human milk. J Hum Lact . 2004;20:322-6. PMID: 15296587
Naltrexone Identification
Substance Name
CAS Registry Number
16590-41-3
Drug Class
- Narcotic Antagonists
Administrative Information
LactMed Record Number
372
Information from the National Library of Medicine's LactMed Database.
Last Revision Date
2012-10-02
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...
- Naltrexone use during Pregnancy
- Naltrexone Consumer Information
- Breastfeeding Support Group
- Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
- Medicine use while Breastfeeding
- Medicine use during Pregnancy
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