Can you take octreotide 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.
The excretion of octreotide into breastmilk has not been studied. However, because it has a high molecular weight of 1019 daltons it is likely to be poorly excreted into breastmilk. It is poorly absorbed orally and has been safely administered directly to infants by injection, so it is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant. At least 3 infants have been successfully breastfed with no adverse effects reported. Until more data are available, octreotide should be used in nursing mothers with careful infant monitoring, especially if the infant is under 2 months of age.
Quoted from Octreotide — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised February 15, 2026.
How much octreotide gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. A woman with acromegaly became pregnant while taking octreotide. During pregnancy she increased her dose to octreotide doses up to 100 mcg injected every 1 to 2 hours (1200 to 2400 mcg/daily) to keep herself free from headaches. The concentration of octreotide in her colostrum was 4.6 mcg/L. The dose at the time of sampling and exact timing of the sample were not provided.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
One mother was treated for acromegaly during pregnancy and postpartum with octreotide (dose not stated). She breastfed (extent not stated) her infant for 4 months with no apparent problems noted in the infant.
A woman with acromegaly took long-acting octreotide (Sandostatin LAR; dose not stated) every 6 weeks postpartum while breastfeeding. At 6 months postpartum, the frequency of the injections was increased to every 4 weeks. She breastfed her infant (extent not stated) for 12 months. At age 5 years the child had developed normally.
Effects on milk supply
A pregnant woman with acromegaly started long-acting octreotide (LAR) 10 mg monthly at 12 weeks gestation. After delivery, she breastfed her until 6 weeks postpartum when she required an increase in octreotide LAR to 20 mg monthly. She continued to breastfeed successfully on octreotide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take octreotide while breastfeeding?
The excretion of octreotide into breastmilk has not been studied. 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.
Does octreotide pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for octreotide are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking octreotide?
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 octreotide
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.