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Neomycin Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 15, 2023.

Neomycin Pregnancy Warnings

Animal studies have not been reported. There are reports of total irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness in children whose mothers used streptomycin during pregnancy. Evidence of (probably reversible) damage to immature nephrons of the fetal kidney associated with gentamicin use, and eighth cranial nerve damage associated with aminoglycoside exposure in utero have been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category D: Drugs which have caused, are suspected to have caused or may be expected to cause, an increased incidence of human fetal malformations or irreversible damage. These drugs may also have adverse pharmacological effects. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

Use is recommended only if clearly needed and the benefit outweighs the risk.

AU TGA pregnancy category: D
US FDA pregnancy category: D

Comments:
-Therapeutic blood levels in the mother do not equate with safety for the fetus.
-Some experts recommend: Aminoglycosides should be considered potentially ototoxic and nephrotoxic to the fetus.

See references

Neomycin Breastfeeding Warnings

A decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Yes

Comments:
-Breastfed infants should be monitored for gastrointestinal effects (e.g., diarrhea, candidiasis [thrush, diaper rash], possible antibiotic-associated colitis indicated by blood in the stool).
-Other aminoglycoside antibiotics are excreted into human milk.

This drug was excreted into cow milk following a single IM injection.

See references

References for pregnancy information

  1. Product Information. Mycifradin (neomycin). Emerson Laboratories. 2001;PROD.
  2. Product Information. Neomycin (neomycin). Pharma-Tek. 2001;PROD.
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
  5. TGA. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Australian Drug Evaluation Committee. Prescribing medicines in pregnancy: an Australian categorisation of risk of drug use in pregnancy. http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/medpreg.htm 2010.

References for breastfeeding information

  1. Product Information. Mycifradin (neomycin). Emerson Laboratories. 2001;PROD.
  2. Product Information. Neomycin (neomycin). Pharma-Tek. 2001;PROD.
  3. United States National Library of Medicine. Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT 2013.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.