Can you take velaglucerase alfa 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.
No information is available on the clinical use of velaglucerase during breastfeeding. Velaglucerase is a synthetic form of beta-glucocerebrosidase, which is a normal component of human milk, but has an identical amino acid sequence to the normal enzyme. Studies with other forms of the enzyme have found very low levels of the enzyme in breastmilk. Absorption by the infant is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. A limited amount of data support the safety of breastfeeding with alglucerase (the placenta-derived form of the enzyme) and imiglucerase (another biosynthetic form of the enzyme). An international panel of clinicians from 9 centers that treat Gaucher's disease reported that, breastfeeding complications were less frequent in mothers who were treated with alglucerase or imiglucerase postpartum than in untreated mothers with Gaucher's disease. Consider limiting the duration of breastfeeding to about 6 months to avoid excessive bone loss in the nursing mother.
Quoted from Velaglucerase alfa — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised December 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of velaglucerase alfa. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Alglucerase
- Imiglucerase
- Taliglucerase Alfa
How much velaglucerase alfa 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 velaglucerase alfa while breastfeeding?
No information is available on the clinical use of velaglucerase 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 velaglucerase alfa while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Alglucerase, Imiglucerase, Taliglucerase Alfa 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 velaglucerase alfa pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for velaglucerase alfa are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking velaglucerase alfa?
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 velaglucerase alfa
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.