Can you take cephradine 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 cephradine produces low levels in milk that 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. cephradine is acceptable in nursing mothers.
Quoted from Cephradine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised November 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of cephradine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Cefazolin
- Cephalexin
- Dicloxacillin
- Floxacillin
- Oxacillin
- Methicillin
- Nafcillin
- Doxycycline
- Linezolid
- Minocycline
- Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
- Vancomycin
How much cephradine gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Six women were given cephradine 500 mg orally every 6 hours for 9 doses. Milk levels after the last dose were essentially constant for the 6 hours following the dose with a range of 0.62 to 0.68 mg/L.
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 cephradine while breastfeeding?
Limited information indicates cephradine produces low levels in milk that 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.
What can I take instead of cephradine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Cefazolin, Cephalexin, Dicloxacillin, Floxacillin, Oxacillin, Methicillin, Nafcillin, Doxycycline, Linezolid, Minocycline, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Vancomycin 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 cephradine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for cephradine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking cephradine?
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 cephradine
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.