Can you take Mounjaro while breastfeeding?

If you have been googling “Mounjaro breastfeeding” looking for an answer to your endless questions, you’ve come to the right place. 

First things first: What even is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (also called tirzepatide) is an injectable medicine that helps people with type-2 diabetes but also has a secret power in helping people lose weight. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 and GIP hormones in your body that control blood sugar and appetite¹. Weight loss injections became quite the hype very quickly, even leading to an Ozempic baby phenomenon. But its rise to fame came with little research and unexpected side effects. 

Has anyone actually studied Mounjaro and breastfeeding?

Short answer: nope

• There are no human studies into whether Mounjaro passes into breast milk or what it might do to a baby
• Animal studies show some risks if used during pregnancy, but they don’t really answer the breastfeeding question 
• Scientists think it probably doesn’t pass into the breastmilk in big amounts as the drug found in Mounjaro is a big molecule. And it would likely get broken down in the baby’s tummy^2,3. But this is just a THEORY – not fact.

So we are basically in 🤷territory!  

Can you take Mounjaro while breastfeeding?

As doctors, we do not like giving out advice without having rock hard evidence. That means research and numbers! Because we do not know, most doctors will say, it’s probably best to avoid!

Here is why:

• Breast milk is the main source of food for the baby, so even tiny amounts of drug passing through can make a huge difference
• Babies have sensitive underdeveloped guts which means they could absorb more Mounjaro than expected^4,5
• Right now there are no clear safety warnings …. but also no research proving it’s safe 

How long should you stop Mounjaro before pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Good question as timing always matters. 

• Before pregnancy: The official advice is to stop at least 4 weeks before trying to conceive (some research says 2 months to be extra safe). This gives the body enough time to fully get rid of the drug⁵
• Before breastfeeding: If you stopped before pregnancy, you’ve essentially taken a 9 month hiatus from the drug. So Mounjaro should be all out of your system by the time the baby arrives. But if you’re thinking of restarting Mounjaro while breastfeeding, we would say wait until you’ve finished breastfeeding just to avoid the unknown risks.

When it comes to Mounjaro and breastfeeding, the science isn’t sure yet. When tiny humans are involved, it is safer not to play guinea pig. Before starting Mounjaro, have a proper chat with your doctor. They will help you figure out what’s safe for you and your baby so you can make a choice feeling informed and supported.