Last update Dec. 8, 2017

Sevoflurane

Very Low Risk

Safe. Compatible. Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.

Volatile halogenated anesthetic administered by inhalation.

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

95% is excreted via the lung without having been metabolized.
Several authors believe that the amount excreted in milk is minimal, therefore it is considered safe during breastfeeding (Dalal 2014, Hale 1999, Spigset 1994), as well as another anesthetic from the same family, halothane, which is considered compatible with breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The residual amount of fluoride that is produced is minimal and is chelated by the calcium in the milk.

Given its rapid elimination from the body, it is possible to breastfeed as soon as the mother has recovered from the anesthesia.

Breastfeeding before anesthesia reduces the need for sevoflurane and also propofol to maintain the anesthesia (Bhaskara 2016).
General anesthesia in caesarean sections delays the start of breastfeeding with respect to epidural anesthesia (Kutlucan 2014).
Professionals working in the operating rooms may inhale volatile anesthetics which may appear in milk from breastfeeding mothers (Cote 1976), but in clinically insignificant amounts, therefore breastfeeding is not contraindicated.


See below the information of this related product:

  • Halothane ( Safe. Compatible. Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Sevoflurane 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

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

Sevoflurane in other languages or writings:

Group

Sevoflurane belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Sevoflurane in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 200 daltons
VD 0.5 l/Kg
1.8 - 3.8 hours

References

  1. Bhaskara B, Dayananda VP, Kannan S, Raghavendra Rao RS, Ramachandraiah R. Effect of breastfeeding on haemodynamics and consumption of propofol and sevoflurane: A state entropy guided comparative study. Indian J Anaesth. 2016 Abstract
  2. Dalal PG, Bosak J, Berlin C. Safety of the breast-feeding infant after maternal anesthesia. Paediatr Anaesth. 2014 Abstract
  3. Kutlucan L, Seker İS, Demiraran Y, Ersoy Ö, Karagöz İ, Sezen G, Köse SA. Effects of different anesthesia protocols on lactation in the postpartum period. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2014 Dec 1;15(4):233-8. Abstract
  4. Hale TW. Anesthetic medications in breastfeeding mothers. J Hum Lact. 1999 Sep;15(3):185-94. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  5. Spigset O. Anaesthetic agents and excretion in breast milk. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 1994 Abstract
  6. Lee JJ, Rubin AP. Breast feeding and anaesthesia. Anaesthesia. 1993 Jul;48(7):616-25. Review. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Coté CJ, Kenepp NB, Reed SB, Strobel GE. Trace concentrations of halothane in human breast milk. Br J Anaesth. 1976 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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