Last update May 24, 2025

Cefpirome Sulfate

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic for injection or parenteral administration.

At latest update no published data on excretion into breast milk were found.

Most cephalosporins are excreted into milk in insignificant amounts from a therapeutic point of view  (Rowe 2013, Fulton 1992) without reported complications in infants.

Cephalosporins are widely used in the Pediatric practice with a good tolerance, even in the neonatal period, so it is very unlikely that in small amounts through milk would be a cause of problems in the infant.

Although rare, the possibility of transient gastroenteritis due to alteration of the intestinal microbiome in infants whose mothers take antibiotics should be taken into account. (Ito 1993)

Product with few bibliographic references and marketed in few countries.

Pending further published data on this drug in relation to breastfeeding, safer known alternatives may be preferable, especially during the neonatal period and in case of prematurity.

Alternatives

  • Cefadroxil (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Cefotaxime Sodium (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Ceftibuten (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Ceftriaxone Sodium (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Cephalexin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Cefpirome Sulfate in other languages or writings:

Group

Cefpirome Sulfate belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Cefpirome Sulfate in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Baja - Poor %
Molecular weight 613 daltons
Protein Binding 10 %
VD 0.3 l/Kg
pKa 3.54 -
Tmax 1.5 hours
2.3 hours

References

  1. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  2. Strenkoski LC, Nix DE. Cefpirome clinical pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1993 Abstract
  3. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1393-9. Abstract
  4. Fulton B, Moore LL. Antiinfectives in breastmilk. Part I: Penicillins and cephalosporins. J Hum Lact. 1992 Abstract
  5. Kavi J, Andrews JM, Ashby JP, Hillman G, Wise R. Pharmacokinetics and tissue penetration of cefpirome, a new cephalosporin. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1988 Abstract

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