Etizolam levels in maternal serum, cord blood, and breast milk during pregnancy and lactation: A case report.

The infant dose I via i breast milk was 0.95% of the maternal daily dose, that was considered to be acceptable,8 even though the drug information states that etizolam use should be avoided during breastfeeding.5 To clarify more accurate information about etizolam excretion into breastmilk, a detailed etizolam concentration profile including maximum concentration in breastmilk following oral etizolam administration will be required. Anxiety disorders may require pharmacological treatment, and it has been estimated that 10% to 26% of pregnant women with these disorders are prescribed benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-like hypnotic drugs.1,2 These medications cross the placental and blood-brain barriers, may affect fetal growth and development,3 and have been associated with increased risks of preterm birth, low Apgar score, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.4 Etizolam, a benzodiazepine-class anxiolytic, is prescribed for the treatment and management of agitation, tension, insomnia and anxiety.5 Due to the limited market distribution and use of etizolam worldwide, only one report from Japan published the information on etizolam transfer into breast milk.6 Furthermore, the information on etizolam transfer into the fetal circulation is limited. Benzodiazepine concentrations in the breast milk and plasma of nursing mothers: Estimation of relative infant dose. [Extracted from the article]