The Basics
What is Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone?
Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. Given as a supplement for heart issues, preventing migraine headache, Parkinson disease, and many other conditions.
Brand names for Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone
N/A
How Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone is classified
Complementary Therapies, Coenzymes
Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone During Pregnancy
Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone while pregnant
N/A
Taking Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone?
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a normal part of the diet, and is also endogenously synthesized. It is a normal component of human milk, but milk levels are slightly low in the breastmilk of mothers with preterm infants. Coenzyme Q10 has no specific lactation-related uses and no data exist on the safety and efficacy of supplementation in nursing mothers or infants. Coenzyme Q10 supplements are usually well tolerated with only infrequent, minor side effects. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a normal part of the diet, and is also endogenously synthesized. It is a normal component of human milk, but milk levels are slightly low in the breastmilk of mothers with preterm infants. Coenzyme Q10 has no specific lactation-related uses and no data exist on the safety and efficacy of supplementation in nursing mothers or infants. Coenzyme Q10 supplements are usually well tolerated with only infrequent, minor side effects. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.
Possible effects of Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Coenzyme Q10 / Ubiquinone
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Tang PH, Miles MV, Steele P eet al. Determination of coenzyme Q(10) in human breast milk by high-performance liquid chromatography. Biomed Chromatogr. 2006;20:1336-43. PMID: 16883549
2. Compagnoni G, Giuffre B, Lista G et al. CoQ10 plasmatic levels in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed infants. Biol Neonate. 2004;86:165-9. PMID: 15237239
3. Niklowitz P, Menke T, Giffei J, Andler W. Coenzyme Q10 in maternal plasma and milk throughout early lactation. Biofactors. 2005;25:67-72. PMID: 16873931
4. Quiles JL, Ochoa JJ, Ramirez-Tortosa MC et al. Coenzyme Q concentration and total antioxidant capacity of human milk at different stages of lactation in mothers of preterm and full-term infants. Free Radic Res. 2006;40:199-206. PMID: 16390829
5. Todoroki Y, Tsukahara H, Ohshima Y et al. Concentrations of thioredoxin, a redox-regulating protein, in umbilical cord blood and breast milk. Free Radic Res. 2005;39:291-7. PMID: 15788233
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
