Chlorothiazide use while Breastfeeding

Summary of Use during Lactation

Low-dose chlorothiazide appears to be acceptable during lactation. Intense diuresis with large doses may decrease breastmilk production.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. After a single dose of 500 mg of chlorothiazide orally, there was no detectable drug (<1 mg/L) in the breastmilk from 11 nursing mothers at 1, 2 and 3 hours after the dose.[1]

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.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Relevant published information on chlorothiazide was not found as of the revision date. Intense diuresis with thiazides and thiazide-like diuretics, fluid restriction and breast binding have been used to suppress postpartum lactation.[2-4] The added contribution of the diuretic to these measures, which are effective in suppressing lactation, has not been studied. There are no data on the effects of diuretics on established, ongoing lactation.

Alternate Drugs to Consider

Hydrochlorothiazide

References

1.

Werthmann MW, Jr, Krees SV. Excretion of chlorothiazide in human breast milk. J Pediatr 1972;81:781-3. [PubMed: 5074355]

2.

Healy M. Suppressing lactation with oral diuretics. Lancet 1961;1:1353-4. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(61)90289-6 [CrossRef]

3.

Stout G. Suppression of lactation. Br Med J 1962;1:1150.

4.

Reiher KH. [Suppression of lactation by stimulation of diuresis]. Zentralbl Gynakol 1963;85:188-90. [PubMed: 13973786]

Substance Name

Chlorothiazide

CAS Registry Number

58-94-6

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Milk, Human

Antihypertensive Agents

Thiazide Diuretics