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CRVO treatment - Avastin and breastfeeding

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  • CRVO treatment - Avastin and breastfeeding

    Good evening,
    I'm 34 yo and recently been treated in left eye for CRVO with Avastin injection. My retinal specialist recommended that I stop breastfeeding immediately and to not resume until 3-4 weeks following each treatment due to the lack of data with its use and bf. This treatment would last 7-8months and potentially longer, I don't think it is conducive to feed 1 week or of a month for that long nor would I be able to keep up supply. My PCP recommended to pump and dump for first week and then resume bf.
    Infant is only 3.5 months old we would love to continue ebf but very concern and unsure how you proceed. Please help, Thank you so so much in advance!

  • #2
    New Mom:

    Avastin is a large molecular weight antibody. When used in the eye, they only inject a minute amount. Recently, a number of reports have described the use of intravitreally injected bevacizumab for the treatment of macular degeneration. It has an approximate molecular weight of 149 kDa. While we have no reports on its use in breastfeeding mothers, size alone would largely exclude it from the milk compartment. When used intravitreally, the dose (1.25 mg) is much lower than via systemic administration (5-10 mg/kg), and it is largely sequestered in the eye[2], thus plasma levels (and milk) would be exceedingly low. The intravitreal use of this drug is probably compatible with breastfeeding. I see no real risk to the infant with its use in the eye.

    Tom Hale Ph.D.


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    • #3
      Dr. Hale
      would you recommend for me to pump and dump for a week immediately following the treatment/injection? Would that help reduce the potential risk further or makes no difference? We did that and my supply had unfortunately went down quickly but working my way back up now that we are bf.
      What are some of the potential side effects IF it did get through to bm and how would it affect my baby?
      It is so worrisome and I could not thank you enough for having a place where parents can come to get priceless medical insight to make an informed decision... I appreciate you and your team!

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