Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking co-beneldopa - Brand name: Madopar

Co-beneldopa and pregnancy

Co-beneldopa is not often used in pregnancy. This is because there's little information about how the medicine may affect your baby. However, your doctor may advise you to take it if they think the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh any risks.

If you become pregnant while taking co-beneldopa, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Co-beneldopa and breastfeeding

If your baby is healthy, you may be able to take co-beneldopa while breastfeeding, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

There's very little information about taking co-beneldopa while breastfeeding, but it's thought that it only passes into breast milk in very small amounts. It's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

Co-beneldopa can sometimes reduce your milk production, although this is less likely if you've been breastfeeding for a while.

It's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual
• has changes in their behaviour, for example jerky movements
• has changes in their normal sleeping pattern
• is being sick or has diarrhoea

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

Co-beneldopa and fertility

There's no evidence that co-beneldopa affects fertility in either men or women.

However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant.