Is Pantothenic Acid compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Pantothenic Acid?

Pantothenic Acid

May 20, 2018 (Very Low Risk)

Pantothenic acid, dexpanthenol or vitamin B5 is widely distributed in nature being very abundant in meat, vegetables, cereals, legumes, eggs, milk, fruit and vegetables (MedlinePlus 2015), therefore its deficiency is very rare.

The only recognized indication for administering pantothenic acid is to treat vitamin B5 deficiency. There is no evidence that it can be used to treat any other disease or condition. (MedlinePlus 2015).

Daily requirements are 2 mg in infants, 4 in children, 5 in adults, 6 in pregnant women and 7 mg in breastfeeding mothers (Ares 2015, MedlinePLus 2015).

Pantothenic acid is excreted in breast milk at a concentration of 2 to 2.7 mg/L (Sakurai 2005, Song 1984) with little variation throughout breastfeeding (Ren 2015, Johnston 1981) and is directly proportional to maternal ingestion (Song 1984, Johnston 1981).

The concentration is higher in milk of mothers of premature babies than in full-term infants (Ford 1983).

With a varied and balanced diet, supplements of this vitamin are not needed during breastfeeding, it is enough to adequately select the food in one’s diet (Song 1985).

Topical use, most commonly used as panthenol or provitamin B5, regardless of its questionable efficacy, is compatible with breastfeeding.


See below the information of this related product:

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Pantothenic Acid since it is relatively safe.

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Calcium Pantothenate
  • Vitamin B5

Writings

  • Vitamin B5 (Cyrillic)
  • Пантотеновая Кислота (Cyrillic)
  • パントテン酸 (Japanese)
  • C9H17NO5 (Molecular formula)
  • (+)-(R)-3-(2,4-Dihydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyramido)propionic acid (Chemical name)
  • A11HA31 (ATC Code/s)
  • D03AX04 (ATC Code/s)

Drug trade names

References

  1. Ares Segura S, Arena Ansótegui J, Díaz-Gómez NM; en representación del Comité de Lactancia Materna de la Asociación Española de Pediatría. La importancia de la nutrición materna durante la lactancia, ¿necesitan las madres lactantes suplementos nutricionales? [The importance of maternal nutrition during breastfeeding: Do breastfeeding mothers need nutritional supplements?] An Pediatr (Barc). 2015Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Ren X, Yang Z, Shao B, Yin SA, Yang X. B-Vitamin Levels in Human Milk among Different Lactation Stages and Areas in China. PLoS One. 2015Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Sakurai T, Furukawa M, Asoh M, Kanno T, Kojima T, Yonekubo A. Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamin contents of breast milk from Japanese women. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2005Abstract
  4. Song WO, Wyse BW, Hansen RG. Pantothenic acid status of pregnant and lactating women. J Am Diet Assoc. 1985Abstract
  5. Song WO, Chan GM, Wyse BW, Hansen RG. Effect of pantothenic acid status on the content of the vitamin in human milk. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984Abstract
  6. Ford JE, Zechalko A, Murphy J, Brooke OG. Comparison of the B vitamin composition of milk from mothers of preterm and term babies. Arch Dis Child. 1983Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Johnston L, Vaughan L, Fox HM. Pantothenic acid content of human milk. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981Abstract
  8. Srinivasan V, Belavady B. Nutritional status of pantothenic acid in Indian pregnant and nursing women. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1976Abstract