COVID-19: Favipiravir

[Lactation Clinic]

Can be Favipiravir used in lactating mother?
Thank you very much for your suggestion.

[admin]

Lactation Clinic:

We simply don't know much at all about this antiviral drug. Its not used in the USA. Has a 2 hour half life, and is well absorbed orally. It is Teratogenic during pregnancy.
Since this damages DNA during synthesis and a lot of this is going on in a newborn, I'd worry about using this drug in a breastfed infant.

Tom Hale Ph.D.

[Lactation Clinic]

Dear Dr.Hale,

Thank you so much for your valuable suggestion.

[Lactation Clinic]

Dear Dr.Hale,

As you kindly provided the half-life of Favipiravir as 2 hours, please suggest breastfeeding management for the case who receives Favipiravir as the treatment. How long the mothers can resume breastfeeding?
Thank you so much.

[kaytlin]

Lactation Clinic, I expect withholding breastfeeding for 24 hours after the last dose to have a good margin of safety.

Kaytlin Krutsch, PharmD

[Lactation Clinic]

Dear Dr.Krutsch,
Thank you so much for your kind suggestion.

[Lactation Clinic]

I am not sure about the current recommendation, mothers have to wait for 24 hours after the last dose of Favipiravir or not. Thank you very much.