Can you take everolimus 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.
In two women, everolimus was either undetectable or detectable in very small amounts in the colostrum. However, no information is available on the use of everolimus during breastfeeding. An alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Quoted from Everolimus — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised June 15, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of everolimus. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much everolimus gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. A woman was receiving everolimus 2 mg daily and cyclosporine 1.5 mg/kg daily during pregnancy and postpartum following a heart transplant. Although she did not breastfeed, a colostrum sample was obtained one day postpartum which contained undetectable everolimus levels (<0.5 mcg/L). The timing of the sample with respect to the previous everolimus dose was not stated. Measurement of serial plasma levels of everolimus obtained transplacentally found the estimated elimination half-life of everolimus to be about 86 hours in the newborn.
A woman with a kidney transplant received azathioprine 125 mg, methylprednisolone 12 mg, and everolimus 0.5 mg daily during pregnancy and postpartum. On the second day postpartum, 6 colostrum samples were collected. The pre-dose level was 33 ng/L. The highest level was 66 ng/L at 4 hours after the dose. Samples taken at 2, 6, 8 and 12 hours after the dose contained concentrations that ranged from 45 to 51 ng/L.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
A review of the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International database from 1999 to 2024 found that one mother with a transplant had breastfed her infant for at least 4 weeks while taking everolimus, although no infant outcome was reported.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take everolimus while breastfeeding?
In two women, everolimus was either undetectable or detectable in very small amounts in the colostrum. 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 everolimus while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Azathioprine, Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus 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 everolimus pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for everolimus are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking everolimus?
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 everolimus
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.