Zinc gluconate has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. Data from human and animal studies have not revealed increased risks of fetal abnormalities in association with zinc acetate or sulfate administration for all trimesters of pregnancy. The risk of fetal harm if used during pregnancy is remote. A dietary intake of 15 mg of zinc per day is recommended during pregnancy. Additional zinc gluconate should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

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The recommended daily allowance of elemental zinc during lactation is 19 mg during the first 6 months and 16 mg during the second 6 months. Zinc is needed for the normal growth and development of breast-fed infants. However, the effect on the breast-fed infant of higher dosages is not known.

There are no data on the excretion of zinc gluconate into human milk. Elemental zinc is known to be excreted into human milk and may lead to copper deficiency in the nursing infant. The manufacturer recommends that women on zinc therapy not nurse their infants.

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