Can you take telbivudine 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.
Telbivudine has been discontinued from the US market. It has not been studied in nursing mothers being treated for hepatitis B infection. An alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
No difference exist in infection rates between breast-fed and formula-fed infants born to hepatitis B-infected women, as long as the infant receives hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Mothers with hepatitis B are encouraged to breastfeed their infants after their infants receive these preventative measures.
Quoted from Telbivudine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised April 15, 2023.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of telbivudine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Interferon Alfa
- Lamivudine
- Tenofovir
How much telbivudine 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 telbivudine while breastfeeding?
Telbivudine has been discontinued from the US market. 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 telbivudine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Interferon Alfa, Lamivudine, Tenofovir 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 telbivudine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for telbivudine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking telbivudine?
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 telbivudine
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.