Omeprazole is compatible with breastfeeding

Omeprazole (Losec™) is a proton pump inhibitor used to block acid secretion for a variety of reasons including:

• Reflux
• Oesaphagitis
• To protect the stomach against drugs like ibuprofen or prednisolone

The capsules contain gastro-resistant granules, the tablets are also gastro-resistant so that very little of the drug can pass into breastmilk. We also give omeprazole solution to babies with symptoms of reflux. Omeprazole is extremely acid labile with a half-life of 10 minutes at pH values below 4.[ Pilbrant A, Cederberg C. Development of an oral formulation of omeprazole. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 1985; 108:113-120.]

Virtually all omeprazole ingested via milk would probably be destroyed in the stomach of the infant prior to absorption.

Relative infant dose 1.1%, Plasma protein bound 95%, oral bioavailability 30-40% (Hale Medications and Mother’s Milk)