Summary of Use during Lactation

Limited information indicates that cefotaxime produces low levels in milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush have been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Cefotaxime is acceptable in nursing mothers.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. Five postpartum women were given 2 grams of cefotaxime twice daily for 4 days. The average peak milk level on day 4 was 0.68 mg/L (range 0.29 to1.57 mg/L). By 12 hours after the dose the drug was undetectable in milk of all 5 women.[1]

After a single 1 gram dose of cefotaxime to 12 women, average peak levels of 0.32 mg/L occurred 2 hours after the dose. The highest milk level recorded was 0.52 mg/L in one woman at 3 hours after the dose.[2][3]

After a single 1 gram dose of cefotaxime to 5 women, the drug was not measurable (<0.1 mg/L) in the mothers' milk at any time up to 6 hours after the dose.[4]

After a single 1 gram intravenous dose in 2 women, cefotaxime milk levels were not measurable at any time up to 6 hours after the dose.[5]

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

References

1.

Harms K, Gerke G, Zaloudek D. Konzentrationsbestimmungen von cefotaxim aus der muttermilch. Infection. 1980;8(suppl 4):S451-3.

2.

Kafetzis DA, Lazarides CV, Siafas CA et al. Transfer of cefotaxime in human milk and from mother to foetus. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1980;6(suppl A):135-41. [PubMed: 6252147]

3.

Kafetzis DA, Siafas CA, Georgakopoulos PA et al. Passage of cephalosporins and amoxicillin into the breast milk. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1981;70:285-8. [PubMed: 7246123]

4.

Takase Z, Fujiwara M, Kohmoto Y et al. Study of cefotaxime in the perinatal period. Jpn J Antibiot. 1982;35:1893-7. [PubMed: 6294369]

5.

Matsuda S. Transfer of antibiotics into maternal milk. Biol Res Pregnancy. 1984;5:57-60. [PubMed: 6743732]

Substance Name

Cefotaxime

CAS Registry Number

63527-52-6

Drug Class

• Breast Feeding
• Lactation
• Anti-Infective Agents
• Antibacterial Agents
• Cephalosporins