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First Post
a day ago
- Health
- First Post
40 women using weight-loss drugs see unexpected pregnancies; prompt UK's warning over contraceptives
The weight loss drugs, by mimicking gut hormones, effectively reduce appetite and promote weight loss, which can in turn boost fertility in women with obesity read more There have been at least 40 cases of unexpected pregnancies associated with weight loss drugs. Pixabay British health authorities have issued a warning to women using weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, urging them to use effective contraception after dozens of pregnancy reports linked to the drugs. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Friday (May 6) released its first public safety alert addressing the use of weight-loss drugs and contraception. The agency said it had received 40 reports of pregnancies involving users of medications that include the active ingredients semaglutide or tirzepatide, The Guardian reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ozempic and Wegovy, which both contain semaglutide, mimic a gut hormone called GLP-1 that helps reduce appetite by slowing digestion and increasing insulin production. Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide, also targets a second hormone involved in blood sugar and appetite control. Though often referred to as 'weight-loss injections,' not all of the drugs are formally authorised for weight loss. Drugs not advised during pregnancy or attempts to conceive The MHRA said the drugs should not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data. In some cases, the agency recommends that women continue contraception for up to two months after stopping the medication before attempting pregnancy. Among the 40 reports, eight were associated with semaglutide and nine with liraglutide, which is found in the weight-loss drug Saxenda. Two cases were explicitly reported as unintended pregnancies. Dr. Channa Jayasena, a reproductive endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said the drugs, by mimicking gut hormones, effectively reduce appetite and promote weight loss, which can in turn boost fertility in women with obesity. 'Obesity reduces fertility in women. So, women with obesity taking GLP-1 drugs are more likely to get pregnant than before they lost weight,' he said. He also noted that the medications may interfere with the absorption of oral contraceptives due to delayed stomach emptying, although further research is needed. Officials stress responsible use Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA's chief safety officer, warned that the medications should not be used as quick fixes for weight loss or for cosmetic purposes. 'Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments,' Cave said. 'They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way.' The MHRA said it has published updated guidance to help patients use the medications safely but emphasized that the advice should not replace consultation with a healthcare provider. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr. Jayasena added that while the risks of GLP-1 drugs in pregnancy are not fully known, similar weight-loss interventions like surgery have been associated with higher miscarriage rates. 'So women are advised to do all they can to prevent pregnancy while taking GLP-1 drugs,' he said.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Women warned over weight-loss jabs amid reports of 'unforeseen pregnancies'
Women using weight-loss injections are being cautioned to ensure they use reliable contraception, following reports that dozens have become pregnant while on the medication. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued its first warning to the public about the combined use of contraception with weight loss and diabetes injections due to concerns over safe usage. These injectables have been associated with an unexpected surge in pregnancies, with online accounts mentioning unforeseen pregnancies even among women using contraception. To date, over 40 cases of pregnancy in women using weight-loss and diabetes injections have been reported to the MHRA. There are also cautions regarding the unknown risks of these injections, which include Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza, for pregnant women. Ozempic isn't approved as a weight-loss medication in the UK, where it's used for treating diabetes instead. The MHRA says that such drugs—known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 or GLP-1 RAs)—should not be used by those who are pregnant, attempting conception, or breastfeeding. In the event of pregnancy during treatment, patients are advised to discontinue the medication immediately, reports Wales Online The agency stated: "This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby." In some cases, women are also advised to continue using contraception for up to two months between stopping the medicine and trying to get pregnant. The MHRA said effective contraception includes the oral contraceptive pill, contraceptive implants, the coil and condoms. Those patients taking Mounjaro – which may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in people who are overweight – should also use condoms if they are on the pill. The MHRA said: "This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase." The advice on contraception is also contained in patient information leaflets that come with the medicines. MHRA data shared with the PA news agency shows it has received 26 pregnancy-related reports for Mounjaro. It is not necessary for women to say whether the pregnancy was unintentional, though one report did say the pregnancy was such. There have been a further eight reports relating to pregnancy in people taking semaglutide (the ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy). A further nine have been recorded for liraglutide (Victoza or Saxenda), of which one recorded the pregnancy was unintentional. The MHRA is also reminding people that weight-loss jabs should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or taken without speaking to a health professional. Anyone who suspects they have had an adverse reaction or suspects their drug is not a genuine product should report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: "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." The latest guidance also reminds patients taking jabs of the symptoms to look out for in the event of acute pancreatitis which, although uncommon, can be serious. The main symptom is severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and does not go away, and people should seek immediate medical help. GLP-1 or GLP-1 RAs help people feel fuller by mimicking a natural hormone released after eating. Some, like Mounjaro, also act on a second hormone involved in appetite and blood sugar control.
India Today
4 days ago
- Health
- India Today
UK watchdog warns of pregnancy risks linked to weight-loss drugs
Women are being advised to use effective contraception while on these medications. () UK health authorities recently cautioned against weight-loss drugs during pregnancy Mounjaro may reduce effectiveness of oral contraceptives Serious risks include acute pancreatitis with severe stomach pain Women using popular weight-loss and diabetes injections, also called "skinny jabs" are being warned to take extra care with contraception and pregnancy plans in the UK. Health authorities say these medicines should not be taken if you're pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. If someone becomes pregnant while on these medicines, they should speak to a doctor immediately and stop using the medicine. This warning comes from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and includes well-known medicines like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda and Victoza. These drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help reduce hunger and control blood sugar levels by copying a natural hormone released after eating. Some newer medicines like Mounjaro act on a second hormone that also helps with appetite and blood sugar control. While they are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, and in some cases for weight loss, they are not meant for cosmetic or quick weight-loss purposes. The MHRA said Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives such as the pill in people who are overweight, and that women taking the medication should use barrier contraceptives such as condoms, according to a report in The Guardian. The UK watchdog said it had received 26 pregnancy-related reports for Mounjaro. "These are powerful medications meant to treat serious medical conditions. They should not be used casually or bought from unregulated sources like beauty salons or social media," said Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at MHRA. Women are being advised to use effective contraception while on these medications and in some cases for up to two months after stopping them. This is because there isn't enough data to confirm if these drugs are safe for the baby during pregnancy. Forms of contraception include: Oral contraceptives (the pill) Non-oral methods like condoms, the coil, or implants However, Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in people who are overweight. That means women using Mounjaro should also use a non-oral method of contraception, especially in the first four weeks of treatment or after a dose increase. Another rare but serious risk of GLP-1 medicines is acute pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. A warning sign of this is severe stomach pain that moves to the back and doesn't go away. Anyone who feels this should get emergency medical help. The MHRA also reminds users: These medicines must be prescribed by a healthcare professional. Do not buy them online or from beauty clinics, it is illegal and dangerous. Talk to your doctor before starting the medicine to understand risks and benefits. Let your doctor know if you're using one of these medicines before any surgery. Report any side effects through the Yellow Card scheme, which collects safety information on medicines in the UK. The watchdog also warned against extracting leftover medicine from used syringes. Dispose of them safely after completing the recommended doses, the statement read. These reminders come amid rising concerns that many people may be misusing these injections without knowing the full risks, especially women who may become pregnant. Staying informed and cautious is key to using these medicines safely. Women using popular weight-loss and diabetes injections, also called "skinny jabs" are being warned to take extra care with contraception and pregnancy plans in the UK. Health authorities say these medicines should not be taken if you're pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. If someone becomes pregnant while on these medicines, they should speak to a doctor immediately and stop using the medicine. This warning comes from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and includes well-known medicines like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda and Victoza. These drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help reduce hunger and control blood sugar levels by copying a natural hormone released after eating. Some newer medicines like Mounjaro act on a second hormone that also helps with appetite and blood sugar control. While they are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, and in some cases for weight loss, they are not meant for cosmetic or quick weight-loss purposes. The MHRA said Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives such as the pill in people who are overweight, and that women taking the medication should use barrier contraceptives such as condoms, according to a report in The Guardian. The UK watchdog said it had received 26 pregnancy-related reports for Mounjaro. "These are powerful medications meant to treat serious medical conditions. They should not be used casually or bought from unregulated sources like beauty salons or social media," said Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at MHRA. Women are being advised to use effective contraception while on these medications and in some cases for up to two months after stopping them. This is because there isn't enough data to confirm if these drugs are safe for the baby during pregnancy. Forms of contraception include: Oral contraceptives (the pill) Non-oral methods like condoms, the coil, or implants However, Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in people who are overweight. That means women using Mounjaro should also use a non-oral method of contraception, especially in the first four weeks of treatment or after a dose increase. Another rare but serious risk of GLP-1 medicines is acute pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. A warning sign of this is severe stomach pain that moves to the back and doesn't go away. Anyone who feels this should get emergency medical help. The MHRA also reminds users: These medicines must be prescribed by a healthcare professional. Do not buy them online or from beauty clinics, it is illegal and dangerous. Talk to your doctor before starting the medicine to understand risks and benefits. Let your doctor know if you're using one of these medicines before any surgery. Report any side effects through the Yellow Card scheme, which collects safety information on medicines in the UK. The watchdog also warned against extracting leftover medicine from used syringes. Dispose of them safely after completing the recommended doses, the statement read. These reminders come amid rising concerns that many people may be misusing these injections without knowing the full risks, especially women who may become pregnant. Staying informed and cautious is key to using these medicines safely. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Women on Weight-Loss Drugs Warned of Surprise ‘Ozempic Babies'
Women taking popular weight-loss drugs have been urged to use effective contraception while taking the medication amid reports of a so-called "Ozempic babies" phenomenon. The advice was issued by the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, on Thursday. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for comment via email. Demand for weight-loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, has surged in the United States. In May 2024, a KFF Health Tracking Poll found that approximately 6 percent of American adults—about 15 million people—were using GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, either for diabetes treatment or weight loss. Some experts have cautioned that women should use effective contraception while taking these medications amid reports that they may be linked to an increase in unexpected pregnancies, The Guardian reported last May. The MHRA issued its alert after receiving 40 reports related to pregnancies while using "GLP-1 medicines," which are known by the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza. Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, which mimics the GLP-1 hormone to increase insulin, slow digestion, and suppress appetite. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which acts on an additional hormone related to blood sugar and appetite control. The MHRA warned that Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in people who are overweight. It received 26 pregnancy-related reports for Mounjaro alone. "Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception," the agency said. "This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase." Hundreds of women have shared personal accounts of unplanned pregnancies while using these medications in online groups, including the Facebook group "I got pregnant on Ozempic." "My ozempic baby...I see so many posts about ozempic and asking for "stories or side effects," but I never see anyone warning about pregnancy... lol," one woman shared on Facebook. "If you don't know, I got pregnant on ozempic and so many other women have too..I was on ozempic for 6 weeks & found out I was pregnant. I was so scared, google had me frightened I would miscarry because of the ozempic. I then came across a group called 'I got pregnant on ozempic'. I started reading all of these stories about women fighting infertility and getting pregnant on ozempic." The Food and Drug Administration has not yet issued similar advisories in the United States. MHRA Chief Safety Officer Dr. Alison Cave said: "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." Dr. Ilana Ressler, a reproductive endocrinologist at Illume Fertility, told Interesting Engineering on May 22: "There is this phenomenon of Ozempic what I think what's happening is women who may not have been ovulating before with the improvements that the medication is bringing on, that might be helping them to ovulate more regularly and they might be more likely to conceive while on the medication than not—so it is recommended to avoid pregnancy while taking the medication." Dr. Zuri A. Murrell, in a video on X last year: "There is nothing magical about the medicine that's in Ozempic that helps you get pregnant. But what it does is that a lot of times, when people can't, it's because of a hormone weight imbalance. "And so, when you lose weight, and sometimes when you lose weight rapidly, the hormones and the new you aren't in concert. Or they really are in concert, and guess what can happen, pregnancy. "So, it's not the Ozempic itself, it is actually the balancing out of your hormones. That means that you've lost fat, and that the body actually for you is working like it should. So just remember, Ozempic is not something that somebody takes and 'I'm pregnant.' What it does do is cause your body and hormone level to be more in sync and more likely that you can." It remains unclear whether the FDA will follow the MHRA's lead in issuing similar warnings or guidance on contraception. Related Articles Therapist Asks Who Women 'Want To Be Skinny For'-Her Theory Is Eye-OpeningThe Good Life: Weight Loss Wins, But at What Cost?How Ozempic and Other GLP-1 Drugs Are Eating Away at Body PositivityGen Z Is Leading a New Weight Loss Trend: Ozempic Microdosing 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Urgent contraception warning issued to 'skinny jab' users for one key reason
Weight-loss injections have become incredibly popular in the past year - but the government has warned that they can interact with contraception in new guidelines The government has issued a warning for women taking weight-loss injections and urged them to use effective contraception. A new notice from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said that one type of injection, Mounjaro, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (the pill) in those who are overweight. Therefore, anyone taking Mounjaro who could get pregnant, should also use a non-oral form of contraception such as the implant, coil, or condoms. This is especially important for the four weeks after starting the injections and after any dose increase. The official government advice says: "Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight. Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception. "This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase." Weight-loss drugs must also not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while on the injections, you should speak with your healthcare provider and stop the medicine as soon as possible, the government advised. It explained: 'This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.' Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: '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.' The new guidance also reminded patients that weight-loss medications should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media. This exposes people wanting to lose weight to 'serious health risks' and is against the law. Legitimate medicines will be provided in pre-filled injection pens - meaning that products supplied as a powder in vials that need to be mixed with a liquid before injection are not authorised. There have also been reports of fake pre-filled pens that appear similar to the licensed medication. The MHRA warned that while these may look genuine, they 'can also be dangerous', adding: 'The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.' The guidelines also highlighted the importance of being able to recognise symptoms of acute pancreatitis - an uncommon complication that can develop. If you are on weight-loss injections and suddenly get severe pain in your abdomen and feel sick, you should seek immediate help. Dr Cave said: '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.' If you are taking a GLP-1 medicine and are set to undergo a surgical procedure, you should inform your healthcare team. This is because the medicine slows the emptying of your stomach, which increases the risk that stomach contents could enter into your airway and lungs during surgery.
