breastfeeding babyTacrolimus, an immunosuppressive medication, can be given after organ transplant to fight organ rejection. According to researchers from various institutions in the United Kingdom, contraindication in breastfeeding is not based on clinical research. The results of recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology claims no reason for the contraindication could be found.

The study examined cord blood, maternal blood and infant blood for Tacrolimus. Cord and maternal blood were not analyzed in all cases. A total of 14 women and 15 infants were included in data collection.

Conclusion: Tacrolimus levels in breastfed infants were not significantly higher than that measured in bottle-fed infants when the mother was taking Tacrolimus during pregnancy. When infant monitoring for Tacrolimus levels is available, breastfeeding should not be discouraged. Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants and consumption of Tacrolimus while breastfeeding does not appear to have immunosuppressive effects on the infant.

Source: Bramham K, Chusney G, Lee J, Lightstone L, Nelson-Piercy C. Breastfeeding and Tacrolimus: Serial Monitoring in Breast-Fed and Bottle-Fed Infants. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013 Jan 24.