Can you take Ozempic while pregnant?
In this article
What's the lowdown?
Ozempic might improve fertility indirectly, by helping weight loss and regulating menstrual cycles, but it is not a fertility drug
There is no strong research to suggest using Ozempic while pregnant is safe
Research studies in animals suggest Ozempic can cause harm during pregnancy
If you get pregnant while using Ozempic, STOP immediately and speak to a doctor
Planning for a baby? You’ll need to stop Ozempic at least 8 weeks before trying to conceive
So you’re scrolling TikTok, sipping your iced coffee and plastered all over the For You page are the glowing reviews of the ‘miracle’ weight loss drug Ozempic. Nothing wrong with giving it a try, right? Well, little did you know that Ozempic can inadvertently improve your fertility by regulating your menstrual cycle. Fast forward, you’ve lost weight and are pregnant with an Ozempic baby – what do I do now?!
First let’s recap – what is Ozempic?
Ozempic, aka semaglutide, is an injectable medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone. The GLP-1 hormone reduces appetite so you eat fewer calories and lose weight. The drug was originally designed to treat type-2 diabetes (T2DM) but has now gathered fame from its cosmetic off-label use in weight loss.
Ozempic works by:
- Boosting insulin production
- Slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach (essentially keeping you fuller for longer)
- Suppressing appetite
In a nutshell, it keeps your blood sugar in check and keeps you from snacking, and BAM weight loss!
Can you take Ozempic while pregnant?
This is the main question we’ve been waiting for. Well, Ozempic has only recently become an ‘it-girl’ medication. So research around the medication is still thin, especially when it comes to pregnancy.
The short of it is, Ozempic should be a hard pass during pregnancy.
Has there been any research on taking Ozempic while pregnant?
Research around this topic is not as thorough as we want it to be. Most of the limited studies have been conducted on animals.
Some preclinical animal studies have shown that Ozempic could result in a higher risk of early pregnancy loss, foetal abnormalities and reduced foetal weight due to the mother’s weight loss1.
Now, when it comes to human studies, there are none. And it is unlikely any will be done in the near future due to the ethical issues surrounding new drugs in pregnancy when the risk is not known.
Based on animal reproduction studies, the Federal Drug Authority (FDA) has labelled the drug as ‘do not use in pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks’.
What happens if you get pregnant on Ozempic?
1. Don’t freak out
2. Stop taking Ozempic
3. Make an appointment with your doctor
Unplanned pregnancies happen. And you won’t have been the first to have an Ozempic baby.
Most GPs will tell you that stopping the drug is a crucial step. While they are not specialists, they might refer you to an Obstetrician (an expert doctor in pregnancy) for further advice or early checks on the pregnancy. You may be advised to book an early antenatal appointment and ultrasound to monitor for any potential complications.
Researchers are trying to find out what impact Ozempic can have on a growing baby. However, there just isn’t enough data yet. Studies are following pregnancies and children born to mothers who used Ozempic before or during the early part of a pregnancy to try and answer this question. Unfortunately at the moment, we just don’t know. The advice is to use effective contraception and avoid pregnancy while using Ozempic.
Could Ozempic assist with diabetes while pregnant?
Well it might be obvious to think, if it works for type 2 diabetes (T2DM), it should work for gestational diabetes! Right? While it has been approved for use in T2DM, the lisence is not transferable to T2DM or gestational diabetes.
Managing blood glucose during pregnancy can be tricky for the body. Too high and the baby is at risk, too low you’re at risk.
There are a few drugs deemed safe to use in pregnancy when it comes to diabetes: Metformin and insulin. Doctors will stick to what they know is safest for the baby during pregnancy. So it’s unlikely that Ozempic will be on that list anytime soon.
So what now?
If you are planning to bring a little one into the world, stop taking your Ozempic at least 2 months before you start trying. It will give your body time to fully clear the Ozempic in your system.
But if you’re on Ozempic and children are not in your immediate future, consider taking some contraception. But that can be tricky too, as some Ozempic can affect the concentration of some oral contraceptives.
What! Why? How? You don’t need to wonder, we have a whole article dedicated to it right here!
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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.
