Contraception caution over weight-loss medication after dozens of pregnancies

Women the usage of weight-loss medication had been recommended to make use of efficient birth control after dozens have reported changing into pregnant whilst taking the medicine.

The Medicines and Healthcare merchandise Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued its first alert to the United Kingdom public relating to birth control and weight-loss drugs after it won 40 reviews in the case of pregnancies whilst the usage of medication reminiscent of Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Ozempic and Wegovy, which each comprise semaglutide, paintings through mimicking a hormone referred to as GLP-1 that triggers an building up within the manufacturing of insulin, slows the velocity at which meals is digested within the abdomen and decreases urge for food.

Mounjaro, which accommodates the energetic component tirzepatide, acts on a 2d hormone all for urge for food and blood sugar keep watch over. Although those had been known as “weight-loss injections”, no longer all are accredited for weight reduction.

The MHRA stated Mounjaro might cut back the effectiveness of oral contraceptives such because the tablet in people who find themselves obese, and that ladies taking the medicine must use barrier contraceptives reminiscent of condoms. It stated it had won 26 pregnancy-related reviews for Mounjaro.

Last 12 months the Guardian reported that the recognition of weight-loss medication had led to an surprising child growth. The Facebook team “I got pregnant on Ozempic” had greater than 750 participants on the time.

The MHRA stated there were 8 reviews in the case of being pregnant in the ones taking semaglutide and 9 reviews for liraglutide, which is located in any other weight-loss drug, Saxenda. Although it isn’t vital for girls within the reviews to mention if the being pregnant used to be unintended, two of those reviews stated the being pregnant used to be such.

The watchdog additionally stated those medication should no longer be taken right through being pregnant, whilst looking to get pregnant or whilst breastfeeding, as there used to be “not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby”.

It stated that during some cases girls must proceed the usage of birth control for as much as two months between preventing the medication and looking to get pregnant.

Dr Channa Jayasena, a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and andrology at Imperial College healthcare NHS accept as true with, stated: “GLP-1 drugs copy the natural hormones made in the gut which make you feel full. This makes them powerful treatments to help women lose weight.

“Obesity reduces fertility in women. So, women with obesity taking GLP-1 drugs are more likely to get pregnant than before they lost weight.

“In addition, we think that the absorption of oral contraceptive pills may be reduced with GLP-1 drugs which slow down emptying of the stomach, though more research is needed to confirm this.

“The guidance produced by the MHRA is sensible, since it highlights that women could accidentally get pregnant when taking GLP-1 drugs.

“We don’t know how harmful GLP-1 drugs are during pregnancy; however, we know that other forms of weight loss like weight-loss surgery can increase chances of a miscarriage. So women are advised to do all they can to prevent pregnancy while taking GLP-1 drugs.”

Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA’s leader protection officer, stated: “Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way.

“Our guidance offers patients a one-stop shop for our up-to-date advice on how to use these powerful medicines safely.

“This guidance should not be used as a substitute to reading the patient information leaflet or having a conversation with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process.”