Models and methods for predicting drug transfer into human milk

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2003 Apr 29;55(5):643-52. doi: 10.1016/s0169-409x(03)00032-2.

Abstract

Adverse effects in infants due to the ingestion of drugs and other xenobiotics remain an area of concern. A key parameter in assessing infant exposure via breast milk, the milk to plasma concentration ratio (M/P), has not been determined in vivo in humans for most drugs. There are various methods for predicting M/P, which involve in vitro experiments in mammary cell monolayers, assessment of drug binding to plasma and milk protein and lipid, in vivo experiments in animals, and regression models based on a compound's physicochemical characteristics. This article reviews these approaches in terms of their utility, advantages and disadvantages. Some combination of these methods is necessary for reasonably accurate prediction of M/P in humans.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Infant
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / physiology
  • Mammary Glands, Human / metabolism
  • Mammary Glands, Human / physiology
  • Milk / metabolism
  • Milk, Human / metabolism*
  • Models, Animal
  • Models, Biological
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / metabolism*
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Regression Analysis

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations