Last update Jan. 21, 2021

Tetrazepam

Limited compatibility

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.

Intermediate-acting benzodiazepine.
It was marketed in several countries as a muscle relaxant.
Oral administration once or twice daily doses.

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

Its pharmacokinetic data (large volume of distribution and high percentage of protein binding) makes transfer into breastmilk in significant quantities unlikely.

It has very few bibliographical references, and is marketed in few countries.
Withdrawal from the European market due to serious side effects (Proy-Vega 2014 y 2013, Portalfarma 2013, EMA 2013).

The occasional use and low doses of benzodiazepines are compatible with breastfeeding (Kelly 2012, Rubin 2004, Iqbal 2002, Hägg 2000, McElhatton 1994, Lee 1993, Kanto 1982).

It is advisable to choose a short-acting benzodiazepine and minimal effective dose as possible (Rowe 2013), especially in the neonatal period and in case of prematurity because they can accumulate in the infant during chronic use (Sachs 2013).

It is advisable to monitor drowsiness and adequate feeding of the infant.
It is not recommended to share a bed (co-sleeping, bed-sharing) with the baby if this drug is being taken, due to increased risk of asphyxia or sudden infant death (UNICEF 2018, 2017, 2014 and 2013, Landa 2012, ABM 2008, UNICEF 2006).

Alternatives

  • Baclofen (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Carisoprodol (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Methocarbamol (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Orphenadrine (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

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

Tetrazepam in other languages or writings:

Group

Tetrazepam belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Tetrazepam in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 80 - 100 %
Molecular weight 289 daltons
Protein Binding 95 %
VD 3 - 7 l/Kg
Tmax 0.5 - 1.5 hours
15 - 25 hours

References

  1. (ABM): Blair PS, Ball HL, McKenna JJ, Feldman-Winter L, Marinelli KA, Bartick MC; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.. Bedsharing and Breastfeeding: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, Revision 2019. Breastfeed Med. 2020 Jan;15(1):5-16. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. UNICEF UK. Caring for your baby at night. A guide for parents. 2018 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. UNICEF. Ball H, Blair PS. (For UNICEF UK). Caring for your baby at night. Health professional´s guide. 2017 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Emrich OM, Milachowski KA, Strohmeier M. [Methocarbamol in acute low back pain. A randomized double-blind controlled study]. MMW Fortschr Med. 2015 Abstract
  5. UNICEF UK. Statement on co-sleeping following publication of new NICE postnatal guidance. Infosheet. 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Proy-Vega B, Aguirre C, de Groot P, Solís-García del Pozo J, Jordán J. On the clinical evidence leading to tetrazepam withdrawal. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2014 Abstract
  7. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  8. EMA. Tetrazepam-containing medicines suspended across the EU. 2013 Full text (in our servers)
  9. Proy-Vega B, Cano-Cuenca N, Aguirre C, Solis-Garcia del Pozo J, Jordan J. Requiem for tetrazepam. Rev Neurol. 2013 Jul 1;57(1):1-2. Review. English, Spanish. Abstract
  10. Portalfarma. Tetrazepam (Myolastan). Inicio de la revisión de su seguridad. 2013 Full text (in our servers)
  11. Sachs HC; Committee On Drugs. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013 Sep;132(3):e796-809. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative statement on Bed-sharing when parents do not smoke: is there a risk of SIDS? An individual level analysis of five major case-control studies. None 2013 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  13. Kelly LE, Poon S, Madadi P, Koren G. Neonatal benzodiazepines exposure during breastfeeding. J Pediatr. 2012 Sep;161(3):448-51. Abstract
  14. L.Landa Rivera, M.Díaz-Gómez, A.Gómez Papi, J.M.Paricio Talayero, C.Pallás Alonso, M.T.Hernández Aguilar, J.Aguayo Maldonado, J.M.Arena Ansotegui, S.Ares Segura, A.Jiménez Moya, J.J.Lasarte Velillas, J.Martín Calama, M.D.Romero Escós. El colecho favorece la práctica de la lactancia materna y no aumenta el riesgo de muerte súbita del lactante. Dormir con los padres. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 14:53-60 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  15. AEMPS. Tetrazepam. Ficha técnica. 2009 Full text (in our servers)
  16. ABM - The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. ABM Clinical Protocol #6: Guideline on Co-Sleeping and Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine 2008 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  17. ABM - Comité de protocolos de la Academia médica de lactancia materna (Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine). Protocolo Clínico de la ABM #6: Lineamientos sobre la práctica de dormir al bebé junto con la madre y la lactancia materna Revisión, marzo de 2008. Breastfeeding Medicine 2008 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  18. UNICEF UK. Compartiendo la cama con tu bebé. Guía para madres que amamantan. Folleto 2006 Full text (in our servers)
  19. Rubin ET, Lee A, Ito S. When breastfeeding mothers need CNS-acting drugs. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2004 Fall;11(2):e257-66. Epub 2004 Dec 8. Abstract
  20. Iqbal MM, Sobhan T, Ryals T. Effects of commonly used benzodiazepines on the fetus, the neonate, and the nursing infant. Psychiatr Serv. 2002 Jan;53(1):39-49. Review. Abstract Full text (in our servers)
  21. Geister U, Gaupp M, Arnold P, Schaarschmidt D, Doser K. Bioavailability investigation of two different oral formulations of Tetrazepam. Arzneimittelforschung. 2000 Abstract
  22. Hägg S, Spigset O. Anticonvulsant use during lactation. Drug Saf. 2000 Jun;22(6):425-40. Review. Abstract
  23. McElhatton PR. The effects of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and lactation. Reprod Toxicol. 1994 Nov-Dec;8(6):461-75. Review. Abstract
  24. 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)
  25. Bun H, Philip F, Berger Y, Necciari J, Al-Mallah NR, Serradimign A, Cano JP. Plasma levels and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple dose of tetrazepam in healthy volunteers. Arzneimittelforschung. 1987 Feb;37(2):199-202. Abstract
  26. Baumgärtner MG, Cautreels W, Langenbahn H. Biotransformation and pharmacokinetics of tetrazepam in man. Arzneimittelforschung. 1984;34(6):724-9. Abstract
  27. Kanto JH. Use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, labour and lactation, with particular reference to pharmacokinetic considerations. Drugs. 1982 May;23(5):354-80. Review. Abstract

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