Remdesivir and Breastfeeding—A Case Report

Abstract

Objective:The article presents a lactating patient who contacted the pharmacy office to inquire about the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapy. She was given remdesivir, dexamethasone, and ceftriaxone during the 5-day hospital stay.Main Issue:The patient was worried about maintaining her milk supply during her hospital stay and the safety of the medication she received. At the hospital, she was given no information on when she could resume breastfeeding after discharge.Management:The pharmacist conducted an interview, determined the patient’s needs, assessed the safety of the drugs administered during the hospital stay in lactation, provided information to the patient, and stayed in touch with her during the hospital stay. As a result of the consultation, the patient decided to resume breastfeeding her baby 3 hours after discharge (or as soon as possible). The treatment did not impact the milk supply or affect the breastfed baby during a 6-day observation period. Follow-up focused on the mother’s health, potential adverse events in the baby, and the overall impact of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization on breastfeeding in this dyad.Conclusion:COVID-19 treatment with remdesivir, a low dose of dexamethasone, and ceftriaxone might be considered in lactating individuals without breastfeeding cessation or any other intervention apart from close observation of the infant. A change in the color of the milk might be concerning, but it is not a contraindication for breastfeeding. The effect of the maternal therapy, in this case, caused no apparent adverse reactions in the baby and did not impact the milk supply. The situation did not affect the mother’s ability to breastfeed.