Can you take lansoprazole 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.
No information is available on the use of lansoprazole during breastfeeding. However, lansoprazole has been used safely in newborn infants, so it is unlikely that the amount in breastmilk would be harmful.
Quoted from Lansoprazole — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised February 15, 2025.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of lansoprazole. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much lansoprazole 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
The Spanish pharmacovigilance system found 3 cases of gynecomastia associated with lansoprazole reported during the time period of 1982 to 2006. A retrospective claims database study in the United States found that users of proton pump inhibitors had an increased risk of gynecomastia.
A review article reported that a search of database from the European Pharmacovigilance Centre found 45 cases of gynecomastia, 11 cases of galactorrhea, 3 cases of breast pain and 5 cases of breast enlargement associated with lansoprazole. A search of the WHO global pharmacovigilance database found 123 cases of gynecomastia, 30 cases of galactorrhea, 36 cases of breast pain and 18 cases of breast enlargement associated with lansoprazole.
In a retrospective study, out of total of 127 cases of gynecomastia in of 175 male patients, 11 patients were treated had been treated with lansoprazole.
One case of elevated serum prolactin and galactorrhea was reported in a 21-year-old man. When omeprazole was substituted for lansoprazole, the serum prolactin decreased to the normal range and galactorrhea ceased. Although this case occurred in Spain, it was not included in the report above.
A 13-year-old girl with a recent history of bilateral galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia from omeprazole and domperidone on separate occasions was given lansoprazole to prevent gastrointestinal irritation following intravenous diclofenac for a severe headache. After 3 days of lansoprazole therapy, she again developed galactorrhea and an elevated serum prolactin that returned to normal a week after discontinuing lansoprazole.
A 17-year-old woman using a progestin-containing IUD for 1 year began lansoprazole 15 mg daily and presented after 1 week with bilateral galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia of 92 mcg/L. Seventy-two hours after discontinuation of lansoprazole, galactorrhea ceased. Four months later, serum prolactin was normal at 24.1 mcg/L with no recurrence of galactorrhea. The authors judged the adverse reaction likely to be caused by lansoprazole.
The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take lansoprazole while breastfeeding?
No information is available on the use of lansoprazole during breastfeeding. 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 lansoprazole while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Antacids, Cimetidine, Famotidine, 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 lansoprazole pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for lansoprazole are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking lansoprazole?
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 lansoprazole
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.