Summary of Use during Lactation

Silver concentrations have not been measured in breastmilk after maternal ingestion of colloidal silver, but trace amounts of silver can be found in breastmilk from environmental sources. Long-term oral use of colloidal silver can lead to argyria, a permanent gray discoloration of the skin. It is not known if argyria could occur in a breasted infant. Since colloidal silver has no proven medical benefit, it should not be used during breastfeeding.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. Silver can be found in some normal breastmilk samples, but in widely varying concentrations from undetectable to 42 mcg/L. The amount varies within studies and between studies, probably as a result of different populations’ exposures and different analytic techniques.[1-4]

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.

Sun Z, Yue B, Yang Z, et al. [Determination of 24 minerals in human milk by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with microwave digestion]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu 2013;42:504–9. [PubMed: 23805536]

2.

Krachler M, Prohaska T, Koellensperger G, et al. Concentrations of selected trace elements in human milk and in infant formulas determined by magnetic sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Biol Trace Elem Res 2000;76:97–112. [PubMed: 11049226]

3.

Wappelhorst O, Kuhn I, Heidenreich H, et al. Transfer of selected elements from food into human milk. Nutrition 2002;18:316–22. [PubMed: 11934544]

4.

Abdulrazzaq YM, Osman N, Nagelkerke N, et al. Trace element composition of plasma and breast milk of well-nourished women. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2008;43:329–34. [PubMed: 18205064]

Substance Name

Colloidal Silver

CAS Registry Number

7440-22-4

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Milk, Human

Elements

Metals, Heavy

Transition Elements