Last update: July 1, 2015

Nifedipine

Very Low Risk for breastfeeding


Safe. Compatible.
Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.

Excreted into breast milk in non-significant amount with no problems among breastfed infants whose mothers were treated with this medication. No alteration on breast milk composition has been seen.

Shown to be effective at a dose of 10 - 20 mg three times-a-day for pain relief related to Raynaud's phenomena of the nipple, which is a highly painful vasospasm triggered by cold exposition or trauma produced by inadequate latch-on to the breast. Side effect on the mother should be addressed.

American Academy of Pediatrics 2001: Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.

Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs 2002: Compatible with breastfeeding.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Nifedipine since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM´s pediatricians and pharmacists, and are based on updated scientific publications.
It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

Nifedipine in other languages or writings:

Group

Nifedipine belongs to this group or family:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 45 - 56 %
Molecular weight 346 daltons
Protein Binding 92 - 98 %
Tmax 0,75 - 4, 2 hours
T1/2 5,9 - 10,8 hours
M/P ratio 1 -
Theoretical Dose 0,008 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 1,6 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 0,01 - 0,1 %

References

  1. Ghelfi AM, Ferretti MV, Staffieri GJ. Tratamiento farmacológico de la hipertensión arterial no severa durante el embarazo, el posparto y la lactancia. [Pharmacological treatment of non-severe hypertension during pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding]. Hipertens Riesgo Vasc. 2021 Feb 22. pii: S1889-1837(21)00013-1. Abstract
  2. Malachias MV, Figueiredo CE, Sass N, Antonello IC, Torloni MR, Bortolotto MRF L. 7th Brazilian Guideline of Arterial Hypertension: Chapter 9 - Arterial Hypertension in pregnancy Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Serrano Aguayo P, García de Quirós Muñoz JM, Bretón Lesmes I, Cózar León MV. Tratamiento de enfermedades endocrinológicas durante la lactancia. [Endocrinologic diseases management during breastfeeding.] Med Clin (Barc). 2015 Jan 20;144(2):73-9. Abstract
  4. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  5. Barrett ME, Heller MM, Stone HF, Murase JE. Raynaud phenomenon of the nipple in breastfeeding mothers: an underdiagnosed cause of nipple pain. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Abstract
  6. Wu M, Chason R, Wong M. Raynaud's phenomenon of the nipple. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Abstract
  7. Dennis AT. Management of pre-eclampsia: issues for anaesthetists. Anaesthesia. 2012 Sep;67(9):1009-20. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. O'Sullivan S, Keith MP. Raynaud phenomenon of the nipple: a rare finding in rheumatology clinic. J Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Abstract
  9. Chen LH, Zeind C, Mackell S, LaPointe T, Mutsch M, Wilson ME. Breastfeeding travelers: precautions and recommendations. J Travel Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;17(1):32-47. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. Ghanem FA, Movahed A. Use of antihypertensive drugs during pregnancy and lactation. Cardiovasc Ther. 2008 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Page SM, McKenna DS. Vasospasm of the nipple presenting as painful lactation. Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Abstract
  12. Magee L, Sadeghi S. Prevention and treatment of postpartum hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Abstract
  13. Anderson JE, Held N, Wright K. Raynaud's phenomenon of the nipple: a treatable cause of painful breastfeeding. Pediatrics. 2004 Abstract Full text (in our servers)
  14. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  15. Garrison CP. Nipple vasospasms, Raynaud's syndrome, and nifedipine. J Hum Lact. 2002 Abstract
  16. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  17. Kirsten R, Nelson K, Kirsten D, Heintz B. Clinical pharmacokinetics of vasodilators. Part II. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1998 Abstract
  18. Lawlor-Smith LS, Lawlor-Smith CL. Raynaud's phenomenon of the nipple: a preventable cause of breastfeeding failure? Med J Aust. 1997 Abstract
  19. Manninen AK, Juhakoski A. Nifedipine concentrations in maternal and umbilical serum, amniotic fluid, breast milk and urine of mothers and offspring. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1991 Abstract
  20. Penny WJ, Lewis MJ. Nifedipine is excreted in human milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1989 Abstract
  21. Ehrenkranz RA, Ackerman BA, Hulse JD. Nifedipine transfer into human milk. J Pediatr. 1989 Abstract
  22. Tanner LA, Bosco LA. Gynecomastia associated with calcium channel blocker therapy. Arch Intern Med. 1988 Abstract

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