Can you take alteplase while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is identical to alteplase, is a normal component of human colostrum and breastmilk. Levels in milk are highest in colostrum and decrease rapidly during the first week, followed by a slower decrease over time. Because alteplase is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 59,000 Da, absorption is unlikely because it is probably partially destroyed in the infant's gastrointestinal tract and poorly absorbed orally. No information is available on the clinical use of alteplase during breastfeeding. Until more data become available, alteplase should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Quoted from Alteplase — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised December 15, 2024.
How much alteplase gets into breastmilk
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.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take alteplase while breastfeeding?
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is identical to alteplase, is a normal component of human colostrum and breastmilk. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
Does alteplase pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for alteplase are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking alteplase?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on alteplase
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.