U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-.

Cover of Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®)

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet].

Show details

Vancomycin

Last Revision: June 20, 2022.

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

CASRN: 1404-90-6

image 134980842 in the ncbi pubchem database

Drug Levels and Effects

Summary of Use during Lactation

Limited information indicates that vancomycin produces low levels in milk and because vancomycin is poorly absorbed orally, it is not likely to reach the bloodstream of the infant or cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. A single colostrum vancomycin level of 12.7 mg/L was found 4 hours after the end of the infusion of vancomycin 1 gram intravenously given every 12 hours in one woman. Her colostrum was obtained after delivery at a gestational age of about 35 to 38 weeks.[1] Assuming that the colostrum level is a peak level, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive a maximum of 1.9 mg/kg daily by mouth in breastmilk. The amount in mature milk might be lower. This dose is only about 4.8% of the oral vancomycin dose of 40 mg/kg daily used to treat Clostridioides difficile infection of the bowel in infants.

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 was not found as of the revision date.

References

1.
Reyes MP, Ostrea EM Jr, Cabinian AE, et al. Vancomycin during pregnancy: Does it cause hearing loss or nephrotoxicity in the infant? Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1989;161:977–81. [PubMed: 2801848]

Substance Identification

Substance Name

Vancomycin

CAS Registry Number

1404-90-6

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Milk, Human

Anti-Infective Agents

Antibacterial Agents

Glycopeptides

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.

Copyright Notice

Attribution Statement: LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Bookshelf ID: NBK501263PMID: 30000322

Views

Related information

Similar articles in PubMed

See reviews...See all...

Recent Activity

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

See more...