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Sulphasalazine treatment during breast feeding.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 1, 1979
Summary
Sulphasalazine is safe for nursing mothers as it minimally transfers into breast milk. Its active metabolite, sulphapyridine, reaches about 40% of maternal serum levels in milk.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Drug Metabolism
Background:
- Sulphasalazine is a medication used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
- Assessing drug transfer into breast milk is crucial for infant safety during lactation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify sulphasalazine and its metabolite sulphapyridine levels in maternal serum and breast milk.
- To determine the safety of sulphasalazine treatment for nursing mothers.
Main Methods:
- Serum and milk samples were collected from 12 breastfeeding patients on sulphasalazine therapy.
- Steady-state concentrations of sulphasalazine and sulphapyridine were measured.
Main Results:
- Sulphasalazine was found in negligible amounts or not at all in breast milk.
- Sulphapyridine concentrations in milk were approximately 40% of maternal serum levels.
Conclusions:
- Sulphasalazine transfer into breast milk is minimal, suggesting low infant exposure.
- The study supports the safe use of sulphasalazine during breastfeeding, with monitoring of the sulphapyridine metabolite recommended.