Can you take deferoxamine 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.
Deferoxamine is poorly absorbed orally, so it is not likely to reach the bloodstream of the infant or cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Limited information indicates that maternal doses of deferoxamine up to 2 grams daily do not affect iron levels in breastmilk and did not cause any adverse effects in two breastfed infants. Some experts advocate breastfeeding in women receiving deferoxamine for iron overload caused by beta-thalassemia. However, since little published information is available on the use of deferoxamine during breastfeeding, monitoring of the infant's serum iron is recommended.
Quoted from Deferoxamine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised July 19, 2021.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of deferoxamine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much deferoxamine gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. A woman with beta-thalassemia restarted deferoxamine 2 grams subcutaneously daily for 5 days per week 3 days after delivery. Milk was collected on days 5 and 9 postpartum and 11 weeks postpartum. Iron levels in milk were 0.7, 10.4 and 4.8 micromoles/L, respectively (normal range 7.7 to 22.4 micromoles/L).
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 restarted deferoxamine 2 grams subcutaneously 5 days per week 3 days after delivery. She breastfed (extent not stated) one of her twins from birth. After 17 days of breastfeeding, the infant's serum levels were as follows: iron 17.4 micromoles/L, ferritin 200 mcg/L, and transferrin16.8 micromoles/L, all in the normal range. Serum urea, calcium and magnesium were also normal. The second twin was hospitalized for longer and breastfeeding status in the hospital was not reported. Both infants were breastfed (extent not stated) for 4 months postpartum. Both had normal neurologic and motor development at 4 months and laboratory values consistent with their heterozygous beta-thalassemia: hemoglobin F 11.1% and 8.4%, hemoglobin 10.5 g/L and 10.5 g/L, reticulocytes 3.3% and 2.6%, and median erythrocyte volume 60 fL and 58 fL. Their serum levels of iron, ferritin, transferrin, liver enzymes, plasma urea and bilirubin were all normal.
A woman with beta-thalassemia gave birth to an infant by cesarean section and breastfed her infant (extent not stated) from birth while receiving deferoxamine (dosage not stated). No adverse effects were reported in her infant.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take deferoxamine while breastfeeding?
Deferoxamine is poorly absorbed orally, so it is not likely to reach the bloodstream of the infant or cause any 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 deferoxamine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Deferasirox 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 deferoxamine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for deferoxamine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking deferoxamine?
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 deferoxamine
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.