Women using popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are being urged to use effective contraception after reports of pregnancies among users. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning about the risks related to contraception while taking these medications.
The MHRA revealed it has received 40 reports of pregnancy in people taking weight-loss drugs containing semaglutide and tirzepatide, the active ingredients in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide, which mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps regulate insulin, slows digestion, and reduces appetite. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which targets GLP-1 and another hormone that controls blood sugar and appetite.
While many call these drugs “weight-loss injections,” not all of them are officially approved for that use.
The MHRA expressed particular concern about Mounjaro, warning that it may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives like the pill, especially in people with overweight or obesity. Of the 40 pregnancy reports, 26 were linked to Mounjaro. The agency now advises that women using Mounjaro should also use barrier methods, such as condoms, to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Eight of the reports involved semaglutide, and nine involved liraglutide, the active ingredient in another weight-loss drug called Saxenda. Although women are not required to say whether their pregnancies were unplanned, two reports did specify this.
The MHRA emphasized that these medications should not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding. There is not enough safety data on how these drugs affect unborn babies. Some women may need to wait up to two months after stopping treatment before trying to get pregnant.
Dr. Channa Jayasena, a reproductive endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, explained that GLP-1 drugs mimic hormones that make people feel full, making them effective for weight loss. He noted that obesity reduces fertility, so women who lose weight using these drugs may become more fertile. He also said GLP-1 drugs might reduce the absorption of oral contraceptive pills because they slow stomach emptying, though more research is needed.
Dr. Jayasena called the MHRA’s guidance “sensible,” highlighting the risk that women could become pregnant accidentally while on these drugs. He added that the effects of GLP-1 drugs during pregnancy are unknown, but other weight-loss methods, like surgery, can raise miscarriage risk. Therefore, women should avoid pregnancy while using these medications.
Concerns about a possible “baby boom” linked to weight-loss injections emerged last year. A Facebook group called “I got pregnant on Ozempic” grew to over 750 members, reflecting widespread concern among users.
Dr. Alison Cave, MHRA’s chief safety officer, stressed that these drugs are medicines for specific medical conditions and should not be used as quick fixes or cosmetic treatments. She urged patients to follow the agency’s guidance and consult healthcare professionals when prescribed these drugs.
The MHRA’s message is clear: these medications can benefit people managing chronic health problems but must be used carefully and always under medical supervision.
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