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Have just been diagnosed with RA 6 months post partum. If I take paquenil will it pass into the milk, survive freeze thawing or lessen in concentration if I express hours after the oral dose?
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Dear loopylara,
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is effective in the treatment of malaria but is also used in immune syndromes such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Due to its huge volume of distribution, milk levels are generally quite low, and therefore this drug maybe considered compatible with breastfeeding. The time the medication would be highest in your system is two hours after the dose so try to avoid breastfeeding during that time. We do not have data on the effects of freezing. If you will be taking this medication long term, you may want to talk with your pediatrician about monitoring your infant for abnormal blood formation and retinopathy (vision problems). These are unlikely due to the small amount expected in breastmilk, but if you or your pediatrician are nervous about it, certainly monitoring for these complications may be reassuring.
Sincerely,
Cindy Pride, MSN, CPNP
TTUHSC InfantRisk Center
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