Zavegepant nasal spray showed minimal breast milk transfer (RID <1%) after a single 10 mg dose, supporting potential safety for acute migraine treatment in breastfeeding women.
<1% reaches babyLess than 1% of zavegepant dose transfers to breast milk — well below 10% safety threshold
What the researchers found
Zavegepant 10 mg nasal: RID <1% (well below 10% safety threshold); peak breast milk at 2-4 hours; rapid decline; supports breastfeeding safety.
Why it matters
Breastfeeding women need safe migraine treatment options. Minimal drug transfer to breast milk is the first step.
How the study worked
Phase 1 open-label pharmacokinetic study of breast milk and plasma zavegepant levels after single 10 mg nasal dose in lactating women.
What this study cannot tell us
Single-dose study. No infant outcomes. Small phase 1. Chronic dosing unknown.
How to read the evidence
Phase 1 PK study. Essential lactation safety data.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
Safety data for migraine drugs in breastfeeding is critically lacking. This fills a gap for the gepant class.
Questions still open
- Would repeated dosing accumulate?
- Should milk be discarded at peak?
- Are other gepants similarly low?
Common questions
Can I take zavegepant while breastfeeding?
When does drug peak in breast milk?
Read the original research
A phase 1 study of the breast milk and plasma pharmacokinetics of zavegepant 10 mg intranasal dose in healthy lactating women.
Headache
Citation
Jakate, Abhijeet; Weng, Yan; Shkrodova, Ani; Fisniku, Ogert; Ding, Ding; Morton, Kayce; Maligalig, Benjamin; Garnick, Pamela; Liu, Jing; Shahin, Mohamed H. (2026). A phase 1 study of the breast milk and plasma pharmacokinetics of zavegepant 10 mg intranasal dose in healthy lactating women.. Headache. https://doi.org/10.1111/head.70036