Summary of Use during Lactation

No information is available on the excretion of flurazepam into breastmilk. One case of infant sedation was reported in a woman taking flurazepam along with other sedating drugs during breastfeeding. Because of the long duration of action of flurazepam, an alternate hypnotic is preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If flurazepam is used, monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in Breastfed Infants

In a telephone follow-up study, 124 mothers who took a benzodiazepine while nursing reported whether their infants had any signs of sedation. One mother who was taking flurazepam (dose unclear), clonazepam 0.25 mg twice daily, 1 mg of bupropion daily, and 0.75 mg of risperidone daily reported sedation in her breastfed infant.[1]

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Alternate Drugs to Consider

Zaleplon, Zolpidem

References

1.

Kelly LE, Poon S, Madadi P, et al. Neonatal benzodiazepines exposure during breastfeeding. J Pediatr. 2012;161:448–51. [PubMed: 22504099]

Substance Name

Flurazepam

CAS Registry Number

17617-23-1

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Milk, Human

Benzodiazepines

Hypnotics and Sedatives