Can you take tretinoin 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.
Tretinoin has not been studied during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be avoided during oral use and for 1 week after the last dose. Because it is poorly absorbed after topical application, it is considered a low risk to the nursing infant. Do not apply tretinoin directly to the nipple and areola and ensure that the infant's skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated.
Quoted from Tretinoin — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised October 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of tretinoin. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much tretinoin 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
A review of adverse reaction reports on retinoids causing a breast reaction submitted to a French pharmacovigilance center found 1 case of gynecomastia was associated with topical tretinoin use.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take tretinoin while breastfeeding?
Tretinoin has not been studied during breastfeeding. 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 tretinoin while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Azelaic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Adalimumab, Certolizumab Pegol, Etanercept, Infliximab, Phototherapy 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 tretinoin pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for tretinoin are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking tretinoin?
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 tretinoin
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.