Latest news with #YingCheong
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
UK Warns Women About 'Skinny Jabs' If Trying To Get Pregnant
London: The UK's medicine regulator warned on Thursday against taking "skinny jabs" for weight loss if trying to get pregnant or while breastfeeding because of their unknown effects on babies. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said popular jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy "must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding". It urged women to use "effective contraception while taking these medicines and, in some cases, for up to two months between stopping the medicine and trying to get pregnant". "Anyone who gets pregnant while using them should speak to their healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible... because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby," it added. Rebecca Reynolds, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said there was "hardly any available data from human studies" to know if the weight loss drugs were safe in pregnancy. "The data from animal studies suggests the potential for harm with low birthweight and skeletal abnormalities, though more evidence is needed to assess if there are risks of taking these drugs in humans," she added. The MHRA also warned about the impact of another weight-loss and diabetes injection, Mounjaro, on the effectiveness of oral contraception for people 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," it said. Ying Cheong, a consultant in reproductive medicine at the University of Southampton, called the MHRA's advice "both timely and necessary".
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
UK medicine regulator warns that women taking Mounjaro, Ozempic need to use effective contraception
Women in the UK have been urged to use effective contraception if they are using weight loss drugs after dozens of reports of unintentional pregnancies from people taking the medication. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warning said women taking popular "skinny jabs" like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy should "use a barrier form of contraception and do not rely on oral contraception." The warning comes after the agency received 40 reports relating to unintended pregnancies while using such weight loss drugs. Ying Cheong, a consultant in reproductive medicine at the University of Southampton, called the MHRA's advice "both timely and necessary". "Gastrointestinal side-effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea can impair oral contraceptive absorption, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy," she said. The warning from the MHRA urged women to use "effective contraception while taking these medicines and, in some cases, for up to two months between stopping the medicine and trying to get pregnant." It also made clear that these drugs "must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding." "Anyone who gets pregnant while using them should speak to their healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible… because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby," it added. 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." Rebecca Reynolds, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said there was "hardly any available data from human studies" to know if the weight loss drugs were safe in pregnancy. "The data from animal studies suggests the potential for harm with low birth-weight and skeletal abnormalities, though more evidence is needed to assess if there are risks of taking these drugs in humans," she added. The MHRA also warned about the impact of another weight-loss and diabetes injection, Mounjaro, on the effectiveness of oral contraception for people who are overweight. "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," it said. The MHRA also added a reminder to people that these medicines "should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media", or taken without a a prescription from a doctor. "Not only does this expose people wanting to lose weight to serious health risks, it is also against the law to sell these medicines in this way," the statement said. ABC/AFP
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
UK warns about 'skinny jabs' if trying to get pregnant
London:The UK's medicine regulator warned Thursday against taking " skinny jabs " to fight weight loss if trying to get pregnant or while breastfeeding because of their unknown effects on babies. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said popular jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy "must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding". It urged women to use "effective contraception while taking these medicines and, in some cases, for up to two months between stopping the medicine and trying to get pregnant". "Anyone who gets pregnant while using them should speak to their healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible... because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby," it added. Rebecca Reynolds, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said there was "hardly any available data from human studies" to know if the weight loss drugs were safe in pregnancy. "The data from animal studies suggests the potential for harm with low birthweight and skeletal abnormalities, though more evidence is needed to assess if there are risks of taking these drugs in humans," she added. The MHRA also warned about the impact of another weight-loss and diabetes injection, Mounjaro, on the effectiveness of oral contraception for people 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," it said. Ying Cheong, a consultant in reproductive medicine at the University of Southampton, called the MHRA's advice "both timely and necessary". "Gastrointestinal side-effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea can impair oral contraceptive absorption, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy," he said.
Korea Herald
04-05-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
A future of reproductive medicine where humanity and trust sit in harmony with spectacular advances in artificial intelligence
SINGAPORE, May 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence, or AI, is transforming our lives in dynamic and challenging ways, including the ability to create life. In assisted reproduction, AI and automation tools have taken fertility specialists to new frontiers in precision, efficiency and personalisation with the technology beaming with promise for patients striving for parenthood. However, a world leader in reproductive medicine has warned of the dangers of "racing ahead of the rules" as AI algorithms and codes create new dimensions in fertility health care. Speaking at the 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore today, Professor Ying Cheong said human connection, trust, transparency and ethical responsibility must remain "at the heart of what we do" as fertility clinics increasingly embrace the technological wonders of AI. She is Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom where her research interests include uterine health with interdisciplinary collaboration in electronics and computer science in the development of clinical tools. "AI-driven tools offer promise through validation for example in optimising ovarian stimulation by predicting patient responses, reducing ovarian hyperstimulation risk, and improving oocyte yield," Professor Cheong explained. "Machine learning models assist in embryo selection with the aim of improving implantation rates and pregnancy success. "Beyond the laboratory, AI and automation are streamlining fertility clinic workflows. Robotics-assisted micromanipulation, AI-enhanced incubators, and non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) are advancing embryo assessment. "Meanwhile, wearable biosensors and intrauterine devices are emerging as potential AI-integrated tools for real-time uterine monitoring." Yet, Professor Cheong said artificial intelligence in assisted reproduction posed a range of questions relating to: "AI tools require clinical validation across diverse populations, and ethical concerns around bias and decision-making must be addressed," she said. "The technology should complement, not replace clinical expertise ensuring a human-in-the-loop approach. With careful validation and ethical oversight, AI can improve accessibility, affordability and success rates in fertility treatment." Professor Cheong also highlighted the importance of building a social data ecosystem that allows data to be shared responsibly, securely and with full public transparency. "Trustworthy AI starts with trustworthy data," she explained. "That means models like a Social Data Foundation where patients, providers and researchers collaborate equally,' she said. "We need to be mindful of making access to advanced technology in reproductive medicine accessible for all, for example through open access AI platforms and public private partnerships. "AI is here now, and we need to adapt fast. While it will transform our tools, it must not transform our purpose. "In a world racing to build smarter machines, our greatest achievement will be remembering how to be better humans." Around 2,000 experts in fertility health, including scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors, are attending the ASPIRE Congress at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. For more information, go to
