Can you take gadodiamide while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
Gadodiamide releases more free gadolinium than some other gadolinium-containing contrast agents and has been removed from the market in several countries. Some European guidelines recommend a 24-hour interruption of breastfeeding after a dose, but guidelines developed by several North American professional organizations state that breastfeeding need not be disrupted after a nursing mother receives a gadolinium-containing contrast medium. Other agents are preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Quoted from Gadodiamide — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised December 15, 2025.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of gadodiamide. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Gadobutrol
- Gadoteridol
- Gadoterate
How much gadodiamide gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
A mother with neuromyelitis optica was nursing her 38-day-old male infant. Each breastfeeding session was about 15 minutes every 2 hours. She was given gadodiamide (dose not specified) before an MRI scan. She withheld breastfeeding for 6 to 8 hours after the injection. Her infant experienced no immediate adverse effects.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take gadodiamide while breastfeeding?
Gadodiamide releases more free gadolinium than some other gadolinium-containing contrast agents and has been removed from the market in several countries. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What can I take instead of gadodiamide while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Gadobutrol, Gadoteridol, Gadoterate as alternate drugs to consider. That is the database's own list for this drug — whether any of them suits you depends on what you are treating.
Does gadodiamide pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for gadodiamide are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking gadodiamide?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on gadodiamide
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.