Neomycin use while Breastfeeding

Drugs containing Neomycin: Neosporin, Cortisporin Otic, Maxitrol, Triple Antibiotic, Cortisporin Ophthalmic Suspension, Neosporin Ophthalmic, Neo-Poly-Dex, Neosporin Ophthalmic Ointment, Septa, Coly-Mycin S, Show all 78 »Cortisporin Ointment, Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief, Dexacidin, Cortisporin-TC, Neosporin Plus Maximum Strength Ointment, Mycifradin, Neosporin G U Irrigant, Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment, Pediotic, Neocin, Cortisporin Cream, Neo-Poly-Bac, Triple Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment, Neo/PolyB/HC, Methadex, AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension, Medi-Quik, Antibiotic Ear, Dexasporin, Antibiotic with Pramoxine, Otocort Sterile Solution, Cortomycin, Neosporin Plus, Dexacine, Ocutricin, Poly-Dex, Neo-Decadron, Cortatrigen, Triple Antibiotic HC Ophthalmic Ointment, Mycitracin Plus Pain Reliever, Drotic, Lanabiotic, Triple Antibiotic Plus, Ocu-Spore-B, Neosporin Plus Maximum Strength, Neo-Fradin, Otimar, Masporin Otic, Tribiotic Plus, Neo-Dexair, Ocu-Trol, NPD Ophthalmic Ointment, Neo-Tab, Neo-Decadron Ocumeter, Campho-Phenique Maximum Strength, Myciguent, Statrol, Neo-Dex, Poly Pred, AK-Neo-Dex, Ocu-Cort, Cortomycin Eye Ointment, Neotricin HC, Oti-Sone, UAD Otic, Ocu-Spore-G, Mycitracin Triple Antibiotic, Neocin-PG, Neocidin Ophthalmic Solution, Cortomycin Suspension, Neo-Decadron Cream, Neocidin, Otocort Sterile Suspension, Spectrocin Plus, Cortatrigen Modified, AK-Trol, Neoptic, Cort-Biotic

Neomycin Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding

Summary of Use during Lactation

Although no information exists on the excretion of neomycin into milk, other aminoglycoside antibiotics are poorly excreted into breastmilk. Newborn infants apparently absorb small amounts of aminoglycosides, but serum levels are far below those attained when treating newborn infections and systemic effects of neomycin are unlikely. Older infants would be expected to absorb even less neomycin. Monitor the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (e.g., thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis.

Oral, topical, ophthalmic or otic neomycin should result in very low levels in breastmilk and present negligible risk to the infant,[1][2] although topical application to the nipple may increase the risk of diarrhea in the infant. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[3]

Drug Levels

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

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.

Alternate Drugs to Consider

(Injection) Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Tobramycin, (Topical) Bacitracin, Clindamycin, Mupirocin, Polymyxin B

References

1. Niebyl JR. Use of antibiotics for ear, nose, and throat disorders in pregnancy and lactation. Am J Otolaryngol. 1992;13:187-92. PMID: 1503194

2. Leachman SA, Reed BR. The use of dermatologic drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Dermatol Clin. 2006;24:167-97. PMID: 16677965

3. Noti A, Grob K, Biedermann M et al. Exposure of babies to C(15)-C(45) mineral paraffins from human milk and breast salves. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2003;38:317-25. PMID: 14623482

Neomycin Identification

Substance Name

Neomycin

CAS Registry Number

1404-04-2

Drug Class

• Antiinfective Agents
• Antibacterial Agents
• Aminoglycosides
• Dermatologic Agents

Administrative Information

LactMed Record Number

197

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

Last Revision Date

2011-01-31

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...

• Neomycin use during Pregnancy
• Neomycin topical use during Pregnancy
• Neomycin Consumer Information
• Neomycin Topical 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.