Can you take atomoxetine 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.
Amounts of atomoxetine in milk is very low after usual doses and reports from the manufacturer found no serious adverse effects in two breastfed infants. Because of the low levels of atomoxetine in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Monitor breastfed infants for excess sedation.
Quoted from Atomoxetine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised June 15, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of atomoxetine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Amphetamine
- Dextroamphetamine
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Methylphenidate
How much atomoxetine gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Ten women taking atomoxetine in daily doses of 40 to 100 mg donated milk aliquots from both breasts after a complete emptying with a pump and mixing. Mothers were requested to provide milk samples at home at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, and 24 hours after drug administration at steady-state conditions. Because of the variety of doses used, the mean atomoxetine concentration in milk was adjusted to a daily dose of 80 mg. The average concentration in milk at this dose was 12 mcg/L, resulting in an RID of 0.19%. Using the maximum concentration of 39 mcg/L the worst-case RID would be 0.65%.
A woman taking 40 mg of atomoxetine at bedtime donated breastmilk samples three days after delivery. The concentrations of atomoxetine in breastmilk were below the LLOQ before administration and 2.9 mcg/L at 2 hours after the dose, while 4-hydroxyatomoxetine concentrations were below the LLOQ before administration and 2.1 mcg/L at 2 hours after the dose. The secondary metabolite N-DAT was not detectable in breastmilk.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
The author of a review article reported that the manufacturer of atomoxetine (Eli Lilly and Co.) had reports of 2 infants who slept longer than usual after being breastfed by mothers who were taking atomoxetine. Neither of the infants experienced any serious adverse events. Dosages, duration of maternal therapy, infant age and extent of breastfeeding were not provided.
Ten women taking atomoxetine in daily doses of 40 to 100 mg and nursing their 11 infants (one pair of twins) responded to a questionnaire concerning their infants’ health. The infants’ ages ranged from 11 days to 23 months. Breastfeeding ranged from exclusive to partial breastfeeding for <1 to 3 months during atomoxetine use. None of the mothers reported any suspected adverse effects or delayed development in their infants from drug exposure at the time the survey was completed.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take atomoxetine while breastfeeding?
Amounts of atomoxetine in milk is very low after usual doses and reports from the manufacturer found no serious adverse effects in two breastfed infants. 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.
What can I take instead of atomoxetine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine, Methylphenidate as alternate drugs to consider. That is the database's own list for this drug — whether any of them suits you depends on what you are treating.
Does atomoxetine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for atomoxetine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking atomoxetine?
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 atomoxetine
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.