Can you take topotecan 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 women not breastfeed during treatment with topotecan and for 1 week after the last dose. Chemotherapy may adversely affect the normal microbiome and chemical makeup of breastmilk. Women who receive chemotherapy during pregnancy are more likely to have difficulty nursing their infant.
Quoted from Topotecan — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised August 16, 2021.
How much topotecan gets into breastmilk
Topotecan appears to be actively transported into breastmilk by multidrug transporter BCRP, which is encoded by ABCG2.
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 topotecan 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 topotecan pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for topotecan are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking topotecan?
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 topotecan
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.