Can you take malathion 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.
Malathion appears to be poorly absorbed after topical application, so it is not likely to reach the breastmilk in large amounts. Some guidelines consider it a second-choice alternative for the treatment of scabies in nursing mothers.
Quoted from Malathion — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised June 15, 2025.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of malathion. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Ivermectin
- Permethrin
- Pyrethrins
How much malathion gets into breastmilk
The manufacturer reports that 8% of a topically applied solution of malathion (concentration unspecified) in an acetone vehicle is absorbed through human skin. However, the extent of absorption from commercial 0.5% malathion lotion is not known.
Maternal Levels. Nine breastmilk samples were analyzed from women who lived in an area of California that had been sprayed in 1981 with malathion from 4 to 14 times during their pregnancy and lactation. Malathion was undetectable (<5 mcg/L) in all of the samples. Any exposure of the women would probably have been via inhalation or direct ingestion.
Twelve donors from Bhopal, India provided hindmilk samples to monitor for malathion. The mean malathion level in the samples was 0.043 mg/L (range 0 to 0.086 mg/L). The calculated daily intake by breastfed infants was 40% higher than the World Health Organization recommended average daily intake. The source of malathion was thought to be from contaminated food crops that had been harvested before the recommended waiting time after spraying.
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 malathion while breastfeeding?
Malathion appears to be poorly absorbed after topical application, so it is not likely to reach the breastmilk in large amounts. 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 malathion while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Ivermectin, Permethrin, Pyrethrins 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 malathion pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for malathion are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking malathion?
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 malathion
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.