Can you take Mounjaro while pregnant?
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What's the lowdown?
Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy as there hasn’t been any human studies to check if it is safe
Animal tests have found that Mounjaro can cause harm to growing babies
If you get pregnant while on Mounjaro, stop using it immediately and book an appointment with a medical professional
Mounjaro can stay in your system for around four to eight weeks, so you should stop it at least one month before trying to conceive
Mounjaro has not been approved to treat gestational diabetes, with doctors choosing to use drugs like insulin and metformin
One minute you’re mastering your Mounjaro injection routine and watching the weight drop, the next your period’s late, your boobs are sore and you’re asking yourself “could I be pregnant”?
Surprise, you’re pregnant! Not what you had in mind when starting the medication. Little did you know, weight loss medications can help restore hormonal balance and in return support fertility!
Now you’re left googling “can you take Mounjaro when pregnant”.
Look no further, we got what you need!
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a brand name for an injectable medication containing tirzepatide. It is a dual-action drug that works on the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. Hormones which act on these receptors help regulate hunger and digestion in your body.
Mounjaro acts like our body’s own hormones to activate these receptors. Therefore, Mounjaro increases your insulin secretion, slows your digestion and curbs your appetite. It was developed for type 2 diabetes but has the added benefit of weight loss.
Has there been any research on taking Mounjaro while pregnant?
Human trials? Not quite yet because frankly it would be ethically wrong to include pregnant women when we know it could cause harm to a growing baby.
Animal trials? The results are limited but aren’t reassuring!
The Monjuro patient leaflet explains that animal studies using rats and rabbits have shown reproductive and development toxicity in the baby1. GLP-1 medications also cause weight loss in the mother which could lead to small babies and low birth weight2.
So, can you take Mounjaro while pregnant?
Your baby is so important that without the evidence to reassure us that Mounjaro is safe, we would say no!
There is not enough data from human pregnancies, and what we have learnt from animal studies is concerning that these drugs can affect the growth of babies.
But what happens if you get pregnant on Mounjaro?
This is a slightly different story. If you are already taking Mounjaro and fall pregnant, stop, drop and roll!
Stop the injections, drop a message to your doctor and roll into an appointment ASAP!
Getting pregnant on Mounjaro is not uncommon. Many women have had positive pregnancy tests while on GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy. This is because by facilitating weight loss it can regulate the menstrual cycle and restore hormonal balance meaning you are more likely to ovulate (release an egg) each month.
Even though some people report improved fertility while using GLP-1 medications, Mounjaro is not a fertility drug, it should not be used when trying to conceive (TTC).
Can Mounjaro treat diabetes while pregnant?
You’d think that if Mounjaro is licensed for use in type 2 diabetes, it could also be used for gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
But why can’t it be used? Well again, the dreaded statement, there simply isn’t enough research!
When it comes to foetuses and pregnancy, doctors are not going to take any risk. They will play it safe with metformin and insulin. Two drugs that have been researched enough to give doctors confidence to prescribe!
Can I take weight loss medications during pregnancy?
If you are trying to get pregnant, stay away from Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications. If you have a high BMI that could increase your risk of pregnancy complications, you could consider switching to a different weight loss drug like Orlistat or Xenical on your doctor’s advice.
Mounjaro is not safe for the baby. If you are taking Mounjaro, stop it one month before trying to get pregnant to let it fully clear from your system.
If babies are not in your immediate future, make sure to use contraception. If you are using GLP-1 weight loss medication, not all contraception is effective. Studies have shown that Mounjaro can interfere with the effectiveness of non-oral contraception.
If you’re trying to get pregnant, unexpectedly pregnant or managing diabetes during pregnancy, you should have a focused conversation with your obstetrician about your individual situation.
We’re here to make you feel empowered, not panicked. Pregnancy or not, we’ve got the Lowdown. Keep up-to-date with our newsletter!
Dr Fatema Dawoodbhoy
Fatema is currently training in London as an Academic doctor, with a special interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about championing women to understand their bodies better and prioritise their health. She understands the importance of clinically accurate articles and has been writing engaging and educative medical content for 5 years.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.
