Spinosad

The Basics

What is Spinosad?

Used to control a wide variety of pests, including thrips, leafminers, spider mites, mosquitoes, ants, fruit flies and others.

Brand names for Spinosad

Natroba

How Spinosad is classified

Insecticides

Spinosad During Pregnancy

Spinosad pregnancy category

Category BNote 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 Spinosad while pregnant

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with NATROBA Topical Suspension in pregnant women. Reproduction studies conducted in rats and rabbits were negative for teratogenic effects. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. No comparisons of animal exposure with human exposure are provided in this labeling due to the low systemic exposure noted in the clinical pharmacokinetic study [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY] which did not allow for the determination of human AUC values that could be used for this calculation. Systemic embryofetal development studies were conducted in rats and rabbits. Oral doses of 10, 50 and 200 mg/kg/day spinosad were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 15) to pregnant female rats. No teratogenic effects were noted at any dose. Maternal toxicity occurred at 200 mg/kg/day. Oral doses of 2.5, 10, and 50 mg/kg/day spinosad were administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 7 – 19) to pregnant female rabbits. No teratogenic effects were noted at any dose. Maternal toxicity occurred at 50 mg/kg/day. A two-generation dietary reproduction study was conducted in rats. Oral doses of 3, 10, and 100 mg/kg/day spinosad were administered to male and female rats from 10-12 weeks prior to mating and throughout mating, parturition, and lactation. No reproductive/developmental toxicity was noted at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day. In the presence of maternal toxicity, increased dystocia in parturition, decreased gestation survival, decreased litter size, decreased pup body weight, and decreased neonatal survival occurred at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day.

Taking Spinosad While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Spinosad?

No information is available on the clinical use of spinosad during breastfeeding. Because it is not systemically absorbed after topical application, it should not be present in breastmilk. However, the topical suspension contains benzyl alcohol, which may be systemically absorbed through the skin. High doses of benzyl alcohol are potentially toxic to neonates, but it is unlikely that doses this high reach breastmilk. The manufacturer states that mothers concerned about benzyl alcohol could pump and discard breastmilk for 8 hours, but this is probably unnecessary. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[1]

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of spinosad during breastfeeding. Because it is not systemically absorbed after topical application, it should not be present in breastmilk. However, the topical suspension contains benzyl alcohol, which may be systemically absorbed through the skin. High doses of benzyl alcohol are potentially toxic to neonates, but it is unlikely that doses this high reach breastmilk. The manufacturer states that mothers concerned about benzyl alcohol could pump and discard breastmilk for 8 hours, but this is probably unnecessary. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[1]

Possible effects of Spinosad on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Spinosad

Permethrin, Pyrethrins.