Levofloxacin secretion in breast milk: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate levofloxacin secretion in human breast milk.


METHODS
Breast milk was collected from a lactating woman during a 23-day period in which she received levofloxacin 500 mg/day and for 5 days after discontinuation of levofloxacin. The levofloxacin concentration was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used to estimate peak and total levofloxacin exposure.


RESULTS
At steady state, peak levofloxacin exposure in breast milk was 8.2 microg/ml at 5 hours after dosing. Elimination pharmacokinetics followed the anticipated pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Peak levofloxacin concentration in human breast milk is similar to levels attained in plasma. However, breast-feeding mothers who take levofloxacin will expose their infants to levofloxacin in concentrations below those being studied in the pediatric population.
Cahill
John B
JB
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. cahilljb@musc.edu
Bailey
Elaine M
EM
Chien
Shuchean
S
Johnson
George M
GM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D064704:Levofloxacin; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018570:Risk Assessment
D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin