Cahill JB Jr, Bailey EM, Chien S, Johnson GM.

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. cahilljb@musc.edu

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate levofloxacin secretion in human breast milk. METHODS: Breast milk was collected from a lactating woman during a 23-day period in which she received levofloxacin 500 mg/day and for 5 days after discontinuation of levofloxacin. The levofloxacin concentration was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used to estimate peak and total levofloxacin exposure. RESULTS: At steady state, peak levofloxacin exposure in breast milk was 8.2 microg/ml at 5 hours after dosing. Elimination pharmacokinetics followed the anticipated pattern. CONCLUSION: Peak levofloxacin concentration in human breast milk is similar to levels attained in plasma. However, breast-feeding mothers who take levofloxacin will expose their infants to levofloxacin in concentrations below those being studied in the pediatric population.

The problems of multiple-chemical sensitivity patients in using medicinal drugs]