Lactational state modifies alcohol pharmacokinetics in women.
BACKGROUND
Given the physiological adaptations of the digestive system during lactation, the present study tested the hypothesis that lactation alters alcohol pharmacokinetics.


METHODS
Lactating women who were exclusively breastfeeding a 2- to 5-month-old infant and 2 control groups of nonlactating women were studied. The first control group consisted of women who were exclusively formula-feeding similarly aged infants, whereas the other consisted of women who had never given birth. A within-subjects design study was conducted such that women drank a 0.4 g/kg dose of alcohol following a 12-hour overnight fast during one test session (fasted condition) or 60 minutes after consuming a standard breakfast during the other (fed condition). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels and mood states were obtained at fixed intervals before and after alcohol consumption.


RESULTS
Under both conditions, the resultant BAC levels at each time point were significantly lower and the area under the blood alcohol time curve were significantly smaller in lactating women when compared with the 2 groups of nonlactating women. That such changes were due to lactation per se and not due to recent parturient events was suggested by the finding that alcohol pharmacokinetics of nonlactating mothers, who were tested at a similar time postpartum, were no different from women who had never given birth. Despite lower BAC levels in lactating mothers, there were no significant differences among the 3 groups of women in the stimulant effects of alcohol. However, lactating women did differ in the sedative effects of alcohol when compared with nulliparous but not formula-feeding mothers. That is, both groups of parous women felt sedated for shorter periods of time when compared with nulliparous women.


CONCLUSIONS
The systemic availability of alcohol was diminished during lactation. However, the reduced availability of alcohol in lactating women did not result in corresponding changes in the subjective effects of alcohol.
Pepino
Marta Yanina
MY
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Steinmeyer
Allison L
AL
Mennella
Julie A
JA
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol