Last update May 20, 2025

Noscapine

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Centrally acting cough suppressant with properties and uses similar to dextromethorphan. Oral or rectal administration in three daily doses. 

Its high protein binding rate (Karlsson 1990) explains the very low passage into milk observed. (Olsson 1986)

In addition, its low oral bioavailability (Dahlström 1982) makes it difficult to pass into infant plasma from ingested breast milk.

American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding. (AAP 2001)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Noscapine since it is relatively safe.

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

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Other names

Noscapine is also known as


Noscapine in other languages or writings:

Group

Noscapine belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Noscapine in its composition:

List of 24 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 30 %
Molecular weight 413 daltons
Protein Binding 93 %
VD 4.7 l/Kg
Tmax 2.5 hours
T½ 2.6 - 4.5 hours
M/P ratio 0.15 - 0.88 -
Theoretical Dose 0.002 - 0.01 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.07 - 0.8 %

References

  1. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Karlsson MO, Dahlström B, Eckernäs SA, Johansson M, Alm AT. Pharmacokinetics of oral noscapine. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1990 Abstract
  3. Karlsson MO, Dahlström B. Serum protein binding of noscapine: influence of a reversible hydrolysis. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1990 Abstract
  4. Olsson B, Bolme P, Dahlström B, Marcus C. Excretion of noscapine in human breast milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1986 Abstract
  5. Dahlström B, Mellstrand T, Löfdahl CG, Johansson M. Pharmacokinetic properties of noscapine. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1982 Abstract

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