Can you take montelukast 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.
Very low levels of montelukast appear in breastmilk. Montelukast is approved for use in children as young as 6 months of age and has been used in neonates in dosages far greater than the amounts in breastmilk. Amounts ingested by the infant would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. International guidelines consider that leukotriene receptor antagonists can be used during breastfeeding.
Quoted from Montelukast — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised July 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of montelukast. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much montelukast gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Seven women were given a 10 mg dose of montelukast and provide milk samples before the dose and at 6 times over the next 12 hours. Average peak milk concentration of the drug were 9.74 mcg/L at an average of 4 hours after the dose. The average milk concentration was 5.3 mcg/L which resulted in an average daily infant dosage of 0.79 mcg/kg (range 0.4 to 1.4 mcg/kg daily) or 0.68% of the weight-adjusted maternal dosage.
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 montelukast while breastfeeding?
Very low levels of montelukast appear in breastmilk. 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 montelukast while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Beclomethasone, Cromolyn, Terbutaline, Theophylline, Zafirlukast 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 montelukast pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for montelukast are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking montelukast?
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 montelukast
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.