Can you take pemetrexed 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.
Most sources consider breastfeeding to be contraindicated during maternal high-dose antineoplastic drug therapy. The manufacturer recommends that mothers should not to breastfeed during treatment with pemetrexed and for one week after the last dose. Chemotherapy may adversely affect the normal microbiome and chemical makeup of breastmilk.[1] Women who receive chemotherapy during pregnancy are more likely to have difficulty nursing their infant.[2]
Quoted from Pemetrexed — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised August 15, 2024.
How much pemetrexed 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you take pemetrexed while breastfeeding?
Most sources consider breastfeeding to be contraindicated during maternal high-dose antineoplastic drug therapy. 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 pemetrexed pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for pemetrexed are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking pemetrexed?
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 pemetrexed
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.