Can you take neomycin 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.
Although no information exists on the excretion of neomycin into milk, other aminoglycoside antibiotics are poorly excreted into breastmilk. Newborn infants apparently absorb small amounts of aminoglycosides, but serum levels are far below those attained when treating newborn infections and systemic effects of neomycin are unlikely. Older infants would be expected to absorb even less neomycin. Monitor the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (e.g., thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis.
Oral, topical, ophthalmic or otic neomycin should result in very low levels in breastmilk and present negligible risk to the infant, although topical application to the nipple may increase the risk of diarrhea in the infant. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.
Quoted from Neomycin — 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 neomycin. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Gentamicin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
- Bacitracin
- Clindamycin
- Mupirocin
- Polymyxin B
How much neomycin 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 neomycin while breastfeeding?
Although no information exists on the excretion of neomycin into milk, other aminoglycoside antibiotics are poorly excreted into 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 neomycin while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Tobramycin, Bacitracin, Clindamycin, Mupirocin, Polymyxin B 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 neomycin pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for neomycin are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking neomycin?
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 neomycin
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.