Can you take ofloxacin 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.
Ofloxacin appears in breastmilk in low levels. Fluoroquinolones have traditionally not been used in infants because of concern about adverse effects on the infants' developing joints. However, recent studies indicate little risk. The calcium in milk might prevent absorption of the small amounts of fluoroquinolones in milk. Insufficient data exist to prove or disprove this assertion. Developmental problems have been reported in two infants exposed to ofloxacin in breastmilk, but their mothers were also exposed to several drugs during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, so the problems cannot necessarily be attributed to ofloxacin. Use of ofloxacin is acceptable in nursing mothers with monitoring of the infant for possible effects on the flora, such as diarrhea or candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). Avoiding breastfeeding for 4 to 6 hours after a dose should decrease the exposure of the infant to ofloxacin in breastmilk.
Maternal use of an ear drop or eye drop that contains ofloxacin presents negligible risk for the nursing infant. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.
Quoted from Ofloxacin — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised January 15, 2025.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of ofloxacin. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much ofloxacin gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Ten lactating women (time postpartum not stated) were given ofloxacin 400 mg orally every 12 hours for 3 doses. Milk ofloxacin was measured after the third dose. The highest levels averaging 2.41 mg/L occurred 2 hours after the dose. Average milk levels then fell as follows: 1.91 mg/L at 4 hours; 1.25 mg/L at 6 hours; 0.64 mg/L at 9 hours; 0.29 mg/L at 12 hours; and 0.05 mg/L at 24 hours after the dose. Using the peak milk level data from this study, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an estimated maximum of 0.36 mg/kg daily with this maternal dosage regimen.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Ofloxacin was used as part of multidrug regimens to treat two pregnant women with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, one throughout pregnancy and postpartum and the other postpartum only. The infants were breastfed (extent and duration not stated). At age 4.6 and 5.1 years, the children were developing normally except for a mild speech delay in one and hyperactivity in the other.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take ofloxacin while breastfeeding?
Ofloxacin appears in breastmilk in low levels. 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 ofloxacin while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Levofloxacin 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 ofloxacin pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for ofloxacin are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking ofloxacin?
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 ofloxacin
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.