Skip to main content

Carbidopa Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Lodosyn

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 3, 2024.

Carbidopa Pregnancy Warnings

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

AU TGA pregnancy category: B3
US FDA pregnancy category: C

Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. Although levodopa crosses the human placental barrier, enters the fetus, and is metabolized, it was reported that carbidopa concentrations were minimal in fetal tissue. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category B3: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage, the significance of which is considered uncertain in humans.

US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

See references

Carbidopa Breastfeeding Warnings

A decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Unknown

The effects in the nursing infant are unknown.

See references

References for pregnancy information

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Lodosyn (carbidopa)." DuPont Pharma
  2. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (2006) APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp
  3. TGA. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (2007) Prescribing medicines in pregnancy: an Australian categorisation of risk of drug use in pregancy. http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/pdf/medpreg.pdf

References for breastfeeding information

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Lodosyn (carbidopa)." DuPont Pharma

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.