I have some familiarity with TPA and know that it's a major clot buster with numberous, very serious potential side effects.  It's primarily used when a patient has an MI (not the childbearing population).  I did look on Medscape however and here's what they say:

It is not known whether alteplase is distributed into milk, and the drug should be used with caution in nursing women.

They also state that although it has been used in a few infants and children, that safety and efficacy in pediatric patients has not been established.

My guess would be that she should pump and dump...

Patti Spiegelberg, CNM, CLE
Cheyenne, WY




Date:    Wed, 19 Dec 2001 15:27:13 -0500
From:    Sue Svehla <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: TPA

Does anyone have information on TPA? I have a 7 week postpartum mother who
developed a blood clot in her pelvic artery and is being treated with TPA
to break up the clot. Can she breastfeed her baby or does she need to pump
and dump? If so for how long??? Thanks for any information you have. I have
searched both the archives and Thomas Hale's book.

Sue A. Svehla RNC BSN IBCLC
Omaha NE

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