Summary of Use during Lactation

No data are available on sucralfate use during breastfeeding; however, it is virtually unabsorbed orally. Most authorities consider sucralfate acceptable to use during breastfeeding.[1-4] No special precautions are required, including following application to the nipples in a skin cream.

Drug Levels

Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

A study of mother with cracked nipples compared the effects of soft paraffin (petrolatum) (n = 47) to a commercial cream containing sucralfate, zinc and copper (Cicalfate-Avene, France) (n = 68). Reduction of nipple cracking judged by a blinded dermatologist was 3.3 to 5.3 times greater in the sucralfate group compared to the petrolatum group.[5]

Alternate Drugs to Consider

Antacids, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole

References

1.

Lewis JH, Weingold AB., Committee of FDA-Related Matters American College of Gastroenterology. The use of gastrointestinal drugs during pregnancy and lactation. Am J Gastroenterol. 1985;80:912–23. [PubMed: 2864852]

2.

Hagemann TM. Gastrointestinal medications and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1998;14:259–62. [PubMed: 10205441]

3.

Broussard CN, Richter JE. Treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy and lactation: What are the safest therapy options? Drug Saf. 1998;19:325–37. [PubMed: 9804446]

4.

Richter JE. Review article: The management of heartburn in pregnancy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005;22:749–57. [PubMed: 16225482]

5.

Talaee R, Mohammadzadeh M, Rahimi H. Comparing the combination of copper, zinc, and sucralfate (Cicalfate®) with white soft paraffin in the treatment of cracked nipples. Iran J Dermatol. 2021;24:18–23.

Substance Name

Sucralfate

CAS Registry Number

54182-58-0

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Anti-Ulcer Agents

Gastrointestinal Agents