Can you take chlordiazepoxide 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.
No information is available on the use of chlordiazepoxide during breastfeeding. Because the drug and metabolites could accumulate in the breastfed infant, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If chlordiazepoxide is used, monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain.
Quoted from Chlordiazepoxide — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised January 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of chlordiazepoxide. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much chlordiazepoxide gets into breastmilk
Chlordiazepoxide is metabolized to active compounds including demoxepam, desmethylchlordiazepoxide, desmethyldiazepam, and oxazepam. Chlordiazepoxide has a long half-life of 5 to 30 hours, and the half-lives of its metabolites range from 14 to 100 hours.
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
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 chlordiazepoxide while breastfeeding?
No information is available on the use of chlordiazepoxide during breastfeeding. 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 chlordiazepoxide while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Lorazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam 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 chlordiazepoxide pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for chlordiazepoxide are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking chlordiazepoxide?
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 chlordiazepoxide
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.