Can you take captopril 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.
Because of the low levels of captopril in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.
Quoted from Captopril — 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 captopril. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much captopril gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. The average peak milk level in 11 subjects (time postpartum not stated) taking oral captopril 100 mg 3 times daily was 4.7 mcg/L and occurred 3.8 hours after the dose. The peak milk level was about 1% of the peak plasma level, while average milk levels over 12 hours following a dose were about 3% of average serum levels. Based on data in this study, the maximum daily dosage that a nursing infant would receive is less than 0.014% of the mother's weight-adjusted daily dosage.
There was no evidence of disulfide captopril metabolites in the breastmilk of a woman (time postpartum not stated) taking the drug chronically.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
In one report of 12 mothers, several continued to breastfeed their infants while taking captopril 100 mg three times daily. No adverse effects were seen in the infants.
A woman was diagnosed with Cushing's disease during pregnancy. Postpartum she took metyrapone 250 mg 3 times daily, bisoprolol 10 mg twice daily, and captopril 12.5 mg twice daily. She breastfed her preterm infant about 50% milk and 50% formula. At 5 weeks postpartum, the infant's pediatric team found his growth and development to be appropriate.
Effects on milk supply
In a series of controlled studies reported in one paper, captopril had no effect on the circadian rhythm of prolactin, the response to prolactin-stimulating drugs or serum prolactin in patients with prolactin-secreting tumors.
In a study of young hypertensive males, captopril 25 mg orally markedly decreased serum prolactin at 90 minutes after the dose compared to placebo. The maternal prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
In one report, 1 woman out of 12 subjects was unable to produce enough milk for the study while taking captopril 100 mg 3 times daily even though she had been successfully breastfeeding for 6 months. It is not known if this decrease was an effect of captopril.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take captopril while breastfeeding?
What the NIH's Drugs and Lactation Database says about Captopril while breastfeeding — quoted in full. 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 captopril while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Candesartan, Benazepril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Quinapril, Valsartan 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 captopril pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for captopril are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking captopril?
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 captopril
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.