This is a benzodiazepine. It has a long half life and relatively high,
but not extraordinarily high protein binding of about 80%. It is well
absorbed from the gut. It has active metabolites. Taking all this into
consideration, it is probably not the benzodiazepine of choice to use
for a nursing mother, but it is probably okay. Peak plasma levels in
mothers after taking 0.5 to 3 mg is reported as 8 to 37 *nano*grams/ml.
That's really low, and probably the baby will receive very insignificant
amounts.
Remember that benzodiazepines have even longer half lives in babies
under 1 month or so. But we also use them to control seizures in very
small babies.
Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC