Summary of Use during Lactation

The small amounts of diflunisal in milk do not appear to pose a serious risk to breastfeeding infants. However, a shorter-acting agent having more published information may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. Review articles report that milk levels are 2 to 7% of simultaneous maternal serum levels after 7 days of administration of 125 or 250 mg twice daily; however, no study details are provide.[1,2] This would represent milk levels ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 mg/L with a dose of 125 mg daily and 0.8 to 2.7 mg/L with a dose of 250 mg daily.

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

Acetaminophen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Piroxicam

References

1.

Steelman SL, Breault GO, Tocco D, et al. Pharmacokinetics of MK-647, a novel salicylate. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1975;17:245. Abstract.

2.

Tempero KF, Cirillo VJ, Steelman SL. Diflunisal: chemistry, toxicology, experimental and human pharmacology. In, Diflunisal: new perspectives in analgesia. Royal Soc Med Int'l Con Sym Ser Huskisson EC, Caldwell, ADS, eds 1979;6:3-4.

Substance Name

Diflunisal

CAS Registry Number

22494-42-4

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Analgesic Agents

Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents