Can you take ketotifen 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.
Because absorption from the eye is limited, ketotifen would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants after maternal use of ketotifen eye drops. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.
Quoted from Ketotifen — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised February 15, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of ketotifen. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much ketotifen gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
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 ketotifen while breastfeeding?
What the NIH's Drugs and Lactation Database says about Ketotifen while breastfeeding — quoted in full. 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 ketotifen while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Cromolyn 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 ketotifen pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for ketotifen are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking ketotifen?
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 ketotifen
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.