Can you take deferasirox 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.
Deferasirox appears to pass into milk very poorly. Although Australian guidelines recommend against breastfeeding during deferasirox treatment, these were published before a case report of an infant being safely breastfed by a mother with beta-thalassemia receiving deferasirox and finding of no drug in breastmilk. However, since little published information is available on the use of deferasirox during breastfeeding, monitoring of the infant's serum iron is recommended.
Quoted from Deferasirox — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised June 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of deferasirox. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much deferasirox gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. A woman with beta-thalassemia was started on deferasirox 2250 mg (35 mg/kg) daily immediately postpartum. The drug was undetectable (<0.1 mcg/L) in a milk sample taken 2 hours after a dose.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
A woman with beta-thalassemia was started on deferasirox 2250 mg (35 mg/kg) daily immediately postpartum and exclusively breastfed her infant. Blood samples were taken from the infant at 1, 10 and 30 days postpartum. Serum ferritin levels were 190, 218, and 96 mcg/L, respectively (normal range 22 to 275 mcg/L). Serum iron levels were 101, 77 and 71 mcg/dL, respectively (normal range 60 to 170 mcg/dL). The infant's growth was normal during the first month at the 41st percentile.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take deferasirox while breastfeeding?
Deferasirox appears to pass into milk very poorly. 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 deferasirox while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Deferoxamine 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 deferasirox pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for deferasirox are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking deferasirox?
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 deferasirox
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.