title: Pharmacokinetics of oseltamivir in breast milk and maternal plasma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Women in the postpartum period are at high risk for complications from influenza. Pharmacokinetic data of oseltamivir phosphate in postpartum women, however, are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven healthy patients within 48 hours of delivery were recruited. Each woman received 75 mg of oseltamivir phosphate. Plasma and breast milk samples were obtained at times 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the first dose. The samples were analyzed for oseltamivir and oseltamivir carboxylate levels. Using a noncompartmental model, area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (C(max)), time to maximum concentration, and half-life were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oseltamivir phosphate and oseltamivir carboxylate were found in breast milk, although later and in lower levels than that found in plasma. The C(max) and AUC 0-24 was higher for the active metabolite than for the prodrug in both plasma and breast milk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oseltamivir carboxylate was present in breast milk but in concentrations significantly lower than considered therapeutic in infants.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
authors: Laura G
authors: LG
authors: Greer
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Leff
authors: Vanessa Laibl
authors: VL
authors: Rogers
authors: Scott W
authors: SW
authors: Roberts
authors: George H
authors: GH
authors: McCracken
authors: George D
authors: GD
authors: Wendel
authors: Jeanne S
authors: JS
authors: Sheffield
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir