Can you take dalteparin 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 dalteparin in breastmilk and its large molecular weight of 2000 to 9000 daltons, amounts ingested by the infant are small and it would not be expected to be absorbed from breastmilk by the infant. No special precautions are required.
Quoted from Dalteparin — 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 dalteparin. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Acenocoumarol
- Enoxaparin
- Heparin
- Rivaroxaban
- Warfarin
How much dalteparin gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. In two women receiving subcutaneous dalteparin 5000 IU and 10,000 IU daily, respectively, dalteparin was undetectable in breastmilk.
Anti-Xa activity (a measurement of anticoagulant activity) was measured in the milk of 15 patients before and 3 to 4 hours after 4 to 8 days at a daily dosage of 2500 IU subcutaneously. Anti-Xa activity in milk ranged from less than 5 to 37 IU/L which was 2.5 to 22.4% of the simultaneous maternal plasma anti-Xa activity.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Although not clearly stated, it appears that 15 neonates were breastfed during maternal dalteparin use in one study with no adverse effects reported.
In another report, one mother breastfed her infant for 20 days starting at 7 weeks of age while taking subcutaneous dalteparin 5000 IU subcutaneously twice daily with no adverse effects to her infant.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take dalteparin while breastfeeding?
What the NIH's Drugs and Lactation Database says about Dalteparin 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 dalteparin while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Acenocoumarol, Enoxaparin, Heparin, Rivaroxaban, Warfarin 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 dalteparin pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for dalteparin are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking dalteparin?
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 dalteparin
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.