Last update June 27, 2022

Agomelatine

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

A melatonin receptor agonist and serotonin antagonist. It increases the release of norepinephrine and dopamine in the frontal cortex (EMA 2017). Indicated in episodes of major depression. Administered orally once a day at bedtime.

Its pharmacokinetic data (low oral bioavailability, high protein binding and short life) explain the very small transfer to milk observed. (Schmidt 2013)

No problems have been seen in an infant whose mother was taking it. (Xiao 2021)

ts very low oral bioavailability makes it difficult for it to pass to the infant plasma from ingested breast milk, except in premature infants and in the immediate neonatal period in which there may be greater intestinal permeability.

Side effects are usually mild or moderate, although hepatic damage has been reported in 4% of users, leading it to be withdrawn from sale in several countries. (Carvalho 2016)

Its dopaminergic effect is anti-prolactin (dopamine inhibits prolactin secretion) and may decrease milk production during the first weeks after delivery. When breastfeeding is well established, prolactin levels are not correlated with milk production. If you cannot use one of the proposed alternatives, milk production must be monitored.


Until more published data is known about this drug in relation to breastfeeding, known safer alternatives are preferable, especially during the neonatal period and in the event of prematurity.


See below the information of this related product:

  • Maternal Depression (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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.

Other names

Agomelatine in other languages or writings:

Groups

Agomelatine belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Agomelatine in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 5 %
Molecular weight 243 daltons
Protein Binding 95 %
VD 0.5 l/Kg
Tmax 1 - 2 hours
1 - 2 hours
Theoretical Dose 0.00026 - 0.0003 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.06 - 0.07 %

References

  1. Xiao L. Agomelatine for postpartum depression and breastfeeding. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2021 Jun 3;11:20451253211022172. Abstract
  2. EMA. Agomelatina. Ficha técnica. 2017 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. EMA. Agomelatine. Drug Summary. 2017 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Schmidt FM, Lichtblau N, Uribe MM, Kirchherr H, Himmerich H. Agomelatine in breast milk. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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