Weight Loss drugs Linked too Unintentional Pregnancies: UK Health Agency Issues Warning
(image: A pharmacist holding a box of weight loss injections. Reuters/Yonhap News)
Key Takeaways:
Popular weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, potentially leading to unintended pregnancies.
UK health authorities are urging caution and recommending backup contraception methods.
Experts warn against the misuse of thes drugs for cosmetic purposes, emphasizing they are medications, not beauty treatments.
London, UK – A new warning from the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has raised concerns about the potential for unintended pregnancies in women using GLP-1 based weight loss medications, often dubbed “skinny jabs” in the UK.The agency has issued guidelines highlighting a possible interaction between these drugs and oral contraceptives.
GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1) medications work by regulating insulin and glucagon secretion, suppressing appetite, and promoting a feeling of fullness. Originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes,these drugs – including Ozempic,Wegovy,Saxenda,and others – have gained widespread popularity for weight loss.
however, reports surfacing online, and now acknowledged by the MHRA, suggest a link between GLP-1 use and unexpected pregnancies. Users have even coined terms like “Ozempic babies” and “Mitch babies” to describe these occurrences.
The MHRA has received 40 reports of potential side effects related to GLP-1 drugs, including cases of unintended pregnancy.Further breakdowns show:
Tirzepatide-based medications (like Mounjaro): 26 reports, including one unintended pregnancy.
Semaglutide-based medications (Ozempic, Wegovy): 8 reports.
Liraglutide-based medications (Victoza, Saxenda): 9 reports, including one unintended pregnancy.
Why the Concern?
The MHRA explains that GLP-1 medications may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, particularly in individuals who are overweight or obese. As a result, the agency recommends using additional contraceptive methods, such as condoms, to ensure adequate protection.
The guidelines also advise against using GLP-1 drugs if pregnant or attempting to become pregnant, due to a lack of sufficient data on their potential effects on fetal development. The agency recommends stopping medication one month before attempting pregnancy for semaglutide-based drugs and two months for tirzepatide-based drugs.
Not a beauty Treatment
Alison Cave, MHRA Chief safety Officer, strongly emphasized that these drugs are not intended for cosmetic use
