Can you take diflunisal 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.
The small amounts of diflunisal in milk do not appear to pose a serious risk to breastfeeding infants. However, a shorter-acting agent may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Quoted from Diflunisal — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised June 15, 2025.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of diflunisal. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much diflunisal gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Review articles report that milk levels are 2 to 7% of simultaneous maternal serum levels after 7 days of administration of 125 or 250 mg twice daily; however, no study details are provide. This would represent milk levels ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 mg/L with a dose of 125 mg daily and 0.8 to 2.7 mg/L with a dose of 250 mg daily.
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 diflunisal while breastfeeding?
The small amounts of diflunisal in milk do not appear to pose a serious risk to breastfeeding 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 diflunisal while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Acetaminophen, Celecoxib, Diclofenac, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Piroxicam 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 diflunisal pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for diflunisal are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking diflunisal?
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 diflunisal
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.