Can You Take Paxlovid While Breastfeeding?

Yes, it's generally okay to take Paxlovid while breastfeeding, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Paxlovid contains two medications: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir team up to tackle COVID-19, with ritonavir boosting the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir. We don't have a ton of info on nirmatrelvir during breastfeeding yet, but we know a bit more about ritonavir. It can make its way into breast milk and even show up in the blood of some breastfed babies, but so far, no adverse reactions have been reported in these infants.

Given the low oral absorption of nirmatrelvir and small amounts of ritonavir found in milk, this dynamic duo is unlikely to negatively affect your nursing little one.

But here's where it gets a tad complicated: while the US and Canada don't see any issue with breastfeeding while on this therapy, Europe recommends stopping breastfeeding during its use .

So what's a parent to do? Until we get more data, the safest approach is to use this therapy only with careful monitoring of your infant for any potential side effects. And, as always, your healthcare provider is a great resource.