Propafenone use while Breastfeeding

Drugs containing Propafenone: Rythmol, Rythmol SR

Propafenone Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding

Summary of Use during Lactation

Limited information indicates that maternal doses of propafenone up to 900 mg daily produce low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. On the third postpartum day, one woman taking propafenone 300 mg orally 3 times daily had milk levels just before the morning dose of 32 and 47 mcg/L of propafenone and hydroxypropafenone, respectively. The authors estimated that a fully breastfed would receive a dose of propafenone and its metabolite of about 0.03% of the mother's weight-adjusted dosage.[1]

One mother (time postpartum not stated) took a single dose of propafenone 150 mg orally. The highest milk propafenone level was 37.4 mcg/L at 2 hours after the dose. By 6 hours after the dose, the drug was undetectable (<10 mcg/L). The highest milk 5-hydroxypropafenone level was 102 mcg/L at 2 hours after the dose. By 6 hours after the dose, the level was 19.8 mcg/L and by 12 hours it was undetectable (<10 mcg/L) in milk. The authors estimated that an exclusively breastfed infant would receive 0.1% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of propafenone as drug and metabolite.[2]

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. Libardoni M, Piovan D, Busato E et al. Transfer of propafenone and 5-OH-propafenone to foetal plasma and maternal milk. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1991;32:527-8. PMID: 1958453

2. Wakaumi M, Tsuruoka S, Sakamoto K et al. Pilsicainide in breast milk from a mother: comparison with disopyramide and propafenone. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2005;59:120-2. PMID: 15606453

Propafenone Identification

Substance Name

Propafenone

CAS Registry Number

54063-53-5

Drug Class

• Antiarrhythmics

Administrative Information

LactMed Record Number

229

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

Last Revision Date

2007-12-27

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...

• Propafenone use during Pregnancy
• Propafenone 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.