Also known as (RS)-ibuprofen, 4-Isobutylhydratropic acid, Adran, Advil, Amibufen, Anco, Anflagen, Apsifen, Bluton, Brufen, Brufort, Buburone, Butylenin, Dolgin, Dolgirid, Dolgit, Dolo-dolgit, Ebufac, Epobron, Femadon, Haltran, Ibu-attritin, Ibumetin, Ibuprocin, Ibuprophen, Ibutid, Inabrin, Inoven, Lamidon, Lebrufen, Liptan, Medipren, Motrin, Mynosedin, Nobfen, Nobgen, Nuprin, Nurofen, Para-Isobutylhydratropic Acid, Pediaprofen, Roidenin, Rufen, Seclodin, Suspren, Tabalon, Trendar, Urem, p-Isobutylhydratropic Acid
A propionic acid derivate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Ibuprofen inhibits the activity of cyclo-oxygenase I and II, resulting in a decreased formation of precursors of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. This leads to decreased prostaglandin synthesis, by prostaglandin synthase, the main physiologic effect of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen also causes a decrease in the formation of thromboxane A2 synthesis, by thromboxane synthase, thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation. (NCI05)
Originator: NCI Thesaurus | Source: The website of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov)
Can I take Ibuprofen while breastfeeding?
Because of its extremely low levels in breastmilk, short half-life and safe use in infants in doses much higher than those excreted in breastmilk, ibuprofen is a preferred choice as an analgesic or antiinflammatory agent in nursing mothers.
Drug levels
Maternal Levels. Two early studies attempted measurement of ibuprofen in milk. In one, the patient’s dose was 400 mg twice daily, while in the second study of 12 patients, the dose was 400 mg every 6 hours. Ibuprofen was undetectable in breastmilk in both studies (<0.5 and 1 mg/L, respectively).[1][2] A later study using a more sensitive assay found ibuprofen in the breastmilk of one woman who took 6 doses of 400 mg orally over a 42.5 hours. A milk ibuprofen level of 13 mcg/L was detected 30 minutes after the first dose. The highest level measured was 180 mcg/L about 4 hours after the third dose, 20.5 hours after the first dose. The authors estimated that the infant would receive about 17 mcg/kg daily (100 mcg daily) with the maternal dose of approximately 1.2 grams daily. This dose represents 0.0008% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage[3] and 0.06% of the commonly accepted infant dose of 30 mg/kg daily (10 mg/kg every 8 hours). Single milk samples were taken from 13 women between 1.5 and 8 hours after the third dose of ibuprofen in a daily dosage regimen averaging 1012 mg daily (range 400 to 1200 mg daily). Of the 13 milk samples analyzed, the mean milk concentration was 361 mcg/L (range 164 to 590 mcg/L). The mean weight-adjusted percentage of the maternal dosage (relative infant dosage [RID]) was estimated to be <0.38%; however, the RID varied with the time postpartum and the milk protein content. The RID was highest in the colostral phase when the milk protein content was the highest (RID 0.6%). The estimated mean dosage for a fully breastfed infants was 68 mcg/kg daily or 0.2% of a pediatric dosage.[4] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in breastfed infants
Maternal Levels. Two early studies attempted measurement of ibuprofen in milk. In one, the patient’s dose was 400 mg twice daily, while in the second study of 12 patients, the dose was 400 mg every 6 hours. Ibuprofen was undetectable in breastmilk in both studies (<0.5 and 1 mg/L, respectively).[1][2] A later study using a more sensitive assay found ibuprofen in the breastmilk of one woman who took 6 doses of 400 mg orally over a 42.5 hours. A milk ibuprofen level of 13 mcg/L was detected 30 minutes after the first dose. The highest level measured was 180 mcg/L about 4 hours after the third dose, 20.5 hours after the first dose. The authors estimated that the infant would receive about 17 mcg/kg daily (100 mcg daily) with the maternal dose of approximately 1.2 grams daily. This dose represents 0.0008% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage[3] and 0.06% of the commonly accepted infant dose of 30 mg/kg daily (10 mg/kg every 8 hours). Single milk samples were taken from 13 women between 1.5 and 8 hours after the third dose of ibuprofen in a daily dosage regimen averaging 1012 mg daily (range 400 to 1200 mg daily). Of the 13 milk samples analyzed, the mean milk concentration was 361 mcg/L (range 164 to 590 mcg/L). The mean weight-adjusted percentage of the maternal dosage (relative infant dosage [RID]) was estimated to be <0.38%; however, the RID varied with the time postpartum and the milk protein content. The RID was highest in the colostral phase when the milk protein content was the highest (RID 0.6%). The estimated mean dosage for a fully breastfed infants was 68 mcg/kg daily or 0.2% of a pediatric dosage.[4] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible effects on lactation
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternate drugs to consider
Acetaminophen, Flurbiprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen, Piroxicam
References
1. Weibert RT, Townsend RJ, Kaiser DG et al. Lack of ibuprofen secretion into human milk. Clin Pharm. 1982;1:457-8. PMID: 7184678
2. Townsend RJ, Benedetti TJ, Erickson SH et al. Excretion of ibuprofen into breast milk. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984;149:184-6. PMID: 6720796
3. Walter K, Dilger C. Ibuprofen in human milk. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1997;44:211-2. PMID: 9278216
4. Rigourd V, de Villepin B, Amirouche A et al. Ibuprofen concentrations in human mature milk-First data about pharmacokinetics study in breast milk with AOR-10127 “Antalait” study. Ther Drug Monit. 2014;36:590-6. PMID: 24695355
5. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993;168:1393-9. PMID: 8498418
Last Revision Date
20160204
Disclaimer:Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.
Source: LactMed – National Library of Medicine (NLM)