Can you take zaleplon 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.
Little information is available on the use of zaleplon during breastfeeding. A safety scoring system finds zaleplon to be not recommended during breastfeeding. However, the low levels of zaleplon in breastmilk and its short half-life indicate that amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in older breastfed infants. Other agents may be preferred in newborn and preterm infants. Monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain.
Quoted from Zaleplon — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised February 15, 2023.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of zaleplon. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much zaleplon gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Five nursing mothers who were at least 14 days postpartum were given a single oral dose of zaleplon 10 mg. The peak milk level averaged 14 mcg/L at 1.2 hours after the dose. The mean half-life in milk was 1.1 hours. Using the peak milk level data from this study, an exclusively breastfed infant would receive an estimated maximum of 2.1 mcg/kg daily with this maternal dosage regimen or about 1.4% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage.
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 zaleplon while breastfeeding?
Little information is available on the use of zaleplon 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 zaleplon while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Zolpidem 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 zaleplon pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for zaleplon are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking zaleplon?
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 zaleplon
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.