Can you take atorvastatin 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.
The consensus opinion is that women taking a statin should not breastfeed because of a concern with disruption of infant lipid metabolism. However, others have argued that children homozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia are treated with statins beginning at 1 year of age, that statins have low oral bioavailability, and risks to the breastfed infant are low, especially with rosuvastatin and pravastatin. Some evidence indicates that amounts of atorvastatin and its metabolites are milk are very low and it can be taken by nursing mothers with no obvious developmental problems in their infants. Until more data become available, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Quoted from Atorvastatin — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised July 15, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of atorvastatin. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much atorvastatin gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Three women who were taking atorvastatin in doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg once daily donated milk samples at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours after their dose. Aliquots of complete milk collections from both breasts were analyzed for atorvastatin and its active metabolites. The absolute infant dosages of atorvastatin was calculated at 0.066, 0.19, and 0.27 mcg/kg daily for the 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg doses, respectively. The weight-adjusted relative infant dose of atorvastatin, 2-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxyatorvastatin was 0.05%, 0.09%, and 0.052% for atorvastatin doses of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg, respectively.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
In a case series of patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, 6 patients breastfed 11 infants after restarting statin therapy postpartum. The specific statin used by these women was not reported, most of the women on statin therapy were using atorvastatin, either 40 or 80 mg, daily. Normal early child development was reported for all offspring. Children started school at the appropriate age and no learning difficulties were reported.
Two women who were taking atorvastatin in doses of 20 and 40 mg daily partially breastfed their infants. Mothers reported no infant adverse effects and no concerns about their development.
Effects on milk supply
Gynecomastia has been reported in men taking atorvastatin. Serum prolactin was normal in one case where it was measured. In another case, possible rosuvastatin-induced gynecomastia resolved after the patient’s medication was changed to atorvastatin.
Three women who were taking atorvastatin in doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg once daily donated milk samples at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours after their dose. Aliquots of complete milk collections were analyzed for cholesterol. Milk cholesterol levels were within previously established norms in the range of 10 mg/dL.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take atorvastatin while breastfeeding?
The consensus opinion is that women taking a statin should not breastfeed because of a concern with disruption of infant lipid metabolism. 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 atorvastatin while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Cholestyramine, Colesevelam, Colestipol 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 atorvastatin pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for atorvastatin are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking atorvastatin?
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 atorvastatin
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.