Can you take diltiazem 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.
Based on limited data, amounts of diltiazem ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.
Quoted from Diltiazem — 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 diltiazem. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much diltiazem gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. In one patient who was 14 days postpartum, peak milk levels of 190 to 230 mcg/L occurred about 2 hours after the dose during an oral regimen of 60 mg four times daily. The levels and time course of the drug in milk closely paralleled serum levels. Using the peak milk level data from this patient, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an estimated maximum of 0.9% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.
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 diltiazem while breastfeeding?
Based on limited data, amounts of diltiazem ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to 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 diltiazem while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Nifedipine, Verapamil 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 diltiazem pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for diltiazem are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking diltiazem?
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 diltiazem
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.