Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Breastfeeding and tacrolimus: is it a reasonable approach?
Vincent T Armenti1, Michael J Moritz, John M Davison
1National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry, Gift of Life Institute, 401 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USA. varmenti@giftoflifeinstitute.org
Successful pregnancy after transplantation has become more common and more recipients are choosing to breastfeed their infants, despite the controversy surrounding the safety of breastfeeding while the mother is taking immunosuppressive medications, such as tacrolimus. Data collected to date by the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry have not revealed specific problems related to breastfeeding; however, individual circumstances must be considered when counseling transplant recipients regarding breastfeeding. Bramham et al. reported on a series of transplant recipients who were maintained on tacrolimus during pregnancy and lactation and concluded that women should not be discouraged from breastfeeding while on tacrolimus. Recently, other authors have also supported the option of breastfeeding while recipients are maintained on tacrolimus. Herein, we review the Bramham article and discuss the key issues to be considered regarding the compatibility of breastfeeding and immunosuppression.
Successful pregnancy after transplantation has become more common and more recipients are choosing to breastfeed their infants, despite the controversy surrounding the safety of breastfeeding while the mother is taking immunosuppressive medications, such as tacrolimus. Data collected to date by the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry have not revealed specific problems related to breastfeeding; however, individual circumstances must be considered when counseling transplant recipients regarding breastfeeding. Bramham et al. reported on a series of transplant recipients who were maintained on tacrolimus during pregnancy and lactation and concluded that women should not be discouraged from breastfeeding while on tacrolimus. Recently, other authors have also supported the option of breastfeeding while recipients are maintained on tacrolimus. Herein, we review the Bramham article and discuss the key issues to be considered regarding the compatibility of breastfeeding and immunosuppression.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Rational Dosage Regimen: Maintenance Dose and Loading Dose
In most cases, drugs are administered repetitively or infused continuously to maintain a steady-state concentration in the body. At a steady state,...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...

