Can you take valsartan 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.
Milk levels after the lowest dose of the combination of valsartan and sacubitril (Entresto) are very low. If the highest recommended maternal dosage (6 times greater) produces proportionate milk levels, they would likely still be quite low. Valsartan is unlikely to affect the nursing infant.
Quoted from Valsartan — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised November 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of valsartan. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much valsartan gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Five mothers taking sacubitril 24 mg and valsartan 26 mg (Entresto) twice daily collected milk samples at 0,1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after taking a dose at steady state. Sacubitril and its active metabolite, LBQ657, were found in the samples, but valsartan was undetectable (<0.19 mcg/L) in all milk samples.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Two women taking sacubitril 24 mg and valsartan 26 mg (Entresto) did not observe any symptoms in their breastfed infants. Their extent of breastfeeding was not reported.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take valsartan while breastfeeding?
Milk levels after the lowest dose of the combination of valsartan and sacubitril (Entresto) are very low. 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 valsartan while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Candesartan, Captopril, Benazepril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Quinapril 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 valsartan pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for valsartan are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking valsartan?
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 valsartan
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.