Can you take famotidine 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.
Famotidine doses in breastmilk result in infant dosages that are lower than those used in newborn infants. Famotidine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.
Quoted from Famotidine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised August 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of famotidine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much famotidine gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Eight women who had "recently given birth" (not defined, but apparently within a few days postpartum) were given famotidine 40 mg orally. An average peak breastmilk level of 72 mcg/L occurred 6 hours after the dose. Using the peak milk level data from this study, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an estimated maximum of 0.01 mg/kg daily with this maternal dosage regimen or less than 2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.
Seven women were given oral famotidine 40 mg daily in 2 or 4 divided doses for 3 days at 12 to 16 weeks postpartum. Average concentrations of famotidine in breastmilk were 53 and 55 mcg/L at 3 and 6 hours after a dose, respectively.
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
Histamine H2-receptor blockade is known to stimulate prolactin secretion. Oral famotidine usually does not affect serum prolactin levels, but rare cases of hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea have been reported. The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take famotidine while breastfeeding?
Famotidine doses in breastmilk result in infant dosages that are lower than those used in newborn 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 famotidine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Antacids, Cimetidine, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Sucralfate 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 famotidine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for famotidine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking famotidine?
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 famotidine
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.