Modern medicine has evolved so much so that sooner or later every breastfeeding mother needs to take it in one form or other. Medication that is present in mothers blood will transfer into her breast milk to some extent. Most drugs do so at low levels and pose no real risk to infants but then there are some exceptions. In This post will discuss whether Vancomycin Injection is safe in breast-feeding or not.
What is Vancomycin Injection used for?
Vancomycin Injection is a glycopeptide antibacterial indicated in adult and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of: Septicemia (1.1) Infective Endocarditis (1.2) Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.3) Bone Infections (1.4) Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (1.5) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Vancomycin Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Vancomycin Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. (1.6) 1.1 Septicemia Vancomycin Injection is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of septicemia due to: Susceptible isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negative staphylococci. Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci in penicillin-allergic patients, or those patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to other drugs, including penicillins or cephalosporins. 1.2 Infective Endocarditis Vancomycin Injection is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of infective endocarditis due to: Susceptible isolates of MRSA. Viridans group streptococci Streptococcus gallolyticus (previously known as Streptococcus bovis), Enterococcus species and Corynebacterium species. For enterococcal endocarditis, use Vancomycin Injection in combination with an aminoglycoside. Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci in penicillin-allergic patients, or those patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to other drugs, including penicillins or cephalosporins. Vancomycin Injection is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of early-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis in combination with rifampin and an aminoglycoside. 1.3 Skin and Skin Structure Infections Vancomycin Injection is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections due to: Susceptible isolates of MRSA and coagulase negative staphylococci. Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci in penicillin-allergic patients, or those patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to other drugs, including penicillins or cephalosporins. 1.4 Bone Infections Vancomycin Injection is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of bone infections due to: Susceptible isolates of MRSA and coagulase negative staphylococci. Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci in penicillin-allergic patients, or those patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to other drugs, including penicillins or cephalosporins. 1.5 Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Vancomycin Injection is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (1 month and older) for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections due to: Susceptible isolates of MRSA Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci in penicillin-allergic patients, or those patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to other drugs, including penicillins or cephalosporins. 1.6 Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Vancomycin Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Vancomycin Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Is Vancomycin Injection usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?
As per our analysis Vancomycin Injection contains only one ingredient and that is Vancomycin. We have analyzed Vancomycin and it seems to be safe to use Vancomycin while breastfeeding, that means usage of Vancomycin Injection shall be safe while breastfeeding. Below you can check more details of Vancomycin usage in breastfeeding. We recommend you to go through provided detailed analysis as below take decision accordingly.
Vancomycin Injection Breastfeeding Analsys
SafeCAS Number: 1404-90-6
Antibacterial glycopeptide drug. A high molecular weight its a reason to be excreted in clinically non-significant amount into breast milk, much lower than the dose commonly used for infection in newborns and infants.Its low oral bioavailability hinders the passage toward infant’s plasma from ingested mother’s milk, except in preterm infants and immediate neonatal period, in which the infant may have an increased intestinal permeability. Take into account the possibility of negative results of bacterial cultures from febrile infants when their mothers are receiving antibiotics.
Vancomycin Injection Breastfeeding Analsys - 2
CAS Number: 1404-90-6
Limited information indicates that vancomycin produces low levels in milk and because vancomycin is poorly absorbed orally, it is not likely to reach the bloodstream of the infant or cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.

I am nursing mother and I have already used Vancomycin Injection, what should I do?
As usage of Vancomycin Injection is mostly safe while breastfeeding hence there should not be any concern. In case of any change in behavior or health of your baby you should inform your health care provider about usage of Vancomycin Injection else no further action is required.
I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Vancomycin Injection, is it safe?
Definitely, Vancomycin Injection is safe in lactation for baby. No wonder your doctor has recommended it.
If I am using Vancomycin Injection, will my baby need extra monitoring?
No extra baby monitoring required while mother is using Vancomycin Injection
Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Vancomycin Injection in breastfeeding?
US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700
Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week