Epirubucin

Epirubicin is an antineoplastic from the anthracycline family, with actions similar to doxorubicin but with fewer toxic effects.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Although it has a high volume of distribution, the remaining pharmacokinetic data (not very high molecular weight and protein binding, high pKa and long half-life) make it probable that it will pass into breast milk in quantities that could be significant, as has been seen in another drug from the same therapeutic group, Doxorubicin.

Given its serious side effects (cardiotoxicity and myelotoxicity) (Tjuljandin 1990) it is prudent to discontinue breastfeeding during the period in which the drug is still in the mother's body.

When possible, detection in the milk of each patient to determine the total elimination of the drug would be the best indicator for resuming breastfeeding between two rounds of chemotherapy.

It is known via Pharmacokinetics that after 3 elimination half-lives (T½) 87.5% of the drug is eliminated from the body; after 4 T½ 94%, after 5 T½ 96.9%, after 6 T½ 98.4% and after 7 T½ 99%. Plasma drug concentrations in the body are negligible after 7 T½. In general, a period of at least five half-lives may be considered a safe waiting period to return to breastfeeding (Anderson 2016).

Expert authors recommend waiting 7 to 10 days (between 5 and 7 T½) after the last dose to restart breastfeeding. Meanwhile, express and discard breast milk regularly (Hale 2017 p.330).

There may be an increase in the mean half-life in patients with impaired hepatic function (Twelves 1992) or in co-administration with other medication such as paclitaxel (Danesi 2002), docetaxel or dexverapamil (AEMPS 2017, BC Cancer 2017). In these cases, the safety time of interruption of breastfeeding would be increased.

Some chemotherapeutics with antibiotic effects may alter the composition of the microbiota (combination of bacteria or bacterial flora) of the milk and the concentration of some of its components (Urbaniak 2014). This possibly occurs briefly with later recovery, with no harmful effects being reported in breastfed infants.

Given the strong evidence that exists on the benefits of breastfeeding for the development of babies and the health of mothers, it is advisable to evaluate the risk-benefit of any maternal treatment, including chemotherapy, individually advising each mother that wishes to continue with breastfeeding (Koren 2013).

See below the information of this related product:

• Doxorubicin (Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.)