CASRN: 1404-90-6
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.
Alternate Drugs to Consider
Clindamycin, Daptomycin, Doxycycline, Linezolid, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
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
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Publication Details
Publication History
Last Revision: June 20, 2022.
Copyright
Attribution Statement: LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Publisher
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda (MD)
NLM Citation
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Vancomycin. [Updated 2022 Jun 20].