Can you take ceftriaxone 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.
Limited information indicates that ceftriaxone produce low levels in milk, which are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush have been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Ceftriaxone is acceptable in nursing mothers.
Quoted from Ceftriaxone — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised November 15, 2024.
How much ceftriaxone gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Following administration of a 1 gram dose of ceftriaxone intramuscularly or intravenously on day 3 postpartum to 20 women, peak milk levels averaged about 0.7 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. Peaks occurred about 4 hours after the dose and fell very slowly over 24 hours with half-lives of 13 to 17 hours. The amounts in milk represent an infant dosage of about 0.5% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
A mother who was exclusively nursing her 52-day-old infant developed a soft-tissue infection. She was treated with intravenous teicoplanin 400 mg every 12 hours for 3 doses, then 400 mg daily for 5 days total, intravenous ceftriaxone 1 gram daily, topical mupirocin cream twice daily. A careful follow-up indicated that her infant had no adverse effects.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take ceftriaxone while breastfeeding?
Limited information indicates that ceftriaxone produce low levels in milk, which are not expected to cause adverse effects in 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.
Does ceftriaxone pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for ceftriaxone are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking ceftriaxone?
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 ceftriaxone
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.