Can you take cefepime 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.
Although no published information is available on the use of cefepime during breastfeeding, the levels in breastmilk appear to be low and cephalosporins are generally not expected to cause serious adverse effects in breastfed infants. No human information is available on zidebactam (a component of Zaynich) in breastmilk. Occasional disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush, has been reported with beta-lactam antibiotics, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Cefepime is acceptable in nursing mothers. The combination of cefepime and zidebactam has not been studied in humans during breastfeeding, but the adverse effects are probably similar to those of cefepime.
Quoted from Cefepime — 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 cefepime. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much cefepime gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. The manufacturer reports that the mean concentration of cefepime in breastmilk in 9 healthy women was about 0.5 mcg/mL during the first 8 hours, following a single intravenous dose of 1 gram, then undetectable between 12 and 24 hours. The mean cumulative breast milk excretion of cefepime over 24 hours was 0.01% of the administered dose. A nursing infant consuming approximately 1000 mL of human milk per day would receive approximately 0.5 mg of cefepime per day. This is consistent with the low levels of other cephalosporins in breastmilk.
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 cefepime while breastfeeding?
What the NIH's Drugs and Lactation Database says about Cefepime 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 cefepime while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone 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 cefepime pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for cefepime are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking cefepime?
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 cefepime
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.