Health reporters
Natasha Major
Women using weight-loss injections have been cautioned by the UK’s medicines regulator to ensure effective contraception is in place.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has stated that the effects of medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro on unborn babies remain unknown.
Additionally, weight-loss injections could potentially diminish the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill in overweight or obese individuals.
Concerns are growing that as ‘skinny jabs’ become more popular, women may not use these drugs safely or receive proper guidance.
It is believed that the contraceptive pill might be improperly absorbed due to common side effects from the injections, such as vomiting and diarrhea, and the fact they slow stomach emptying.
The MHRA advises women to use contraception during their GLP-1 medication treatment and for a specified time afterward—two months for Wegovy and Ozempic, and one month for Mounjaro.
Furthermore, users of Mounjaro taking an oral contraceptive should also employ additional protection, like condoms, for four weeks after starting the medication or consider switching to methods like an IUD or implant.
Though information regarding contraception is included in patient leaflets for the medications, the MHRA has released its guidance as well.
The drug safety organization emphasizes that weight-loss injections should not be administered:
- during pregnancy
- while attempting to conceive
- during breastfeeding
Women should be informed of this guidance when they begin treatment with these injections, but there are concerns that this crucial information is not being communicated effectively.
‘It was totally unexpected’
Natasha Major
At 26 years old, Natasha Major began using Mounjaro for weight loss with the intention of trying for her third child in a few years. To her surprise, she discovered she was pregnant just six weeks later, despite being on the contraceptive pill.
“I have polycystic ovaries, so I don’t conceive easily. The news was a huge shock and made no sense to me,” she shared.
Concerned about the potential harm to her baby, Natasha contacted her GP who advised her to discontinue the medication.
“We’re over the initial surprise now and truly happy, though it was unexpected,” she reflects.
“I found out I was pregnant just three hours after my last injection, and I haven’t taken it since,” Natasha added. “An early scan showed everything is progressing well with the baby’s heartbeat present.”
The MHRA, alongside healthcare professionals, is concerned that popular GLP-1 treatments such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Victoza, and Ozempic are not being used safely.
These prescription medications, prescribed for obesity (and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes), create feelings of fullness by mimicking post-meal hormones. Mounjaro works on another hormone related to appetite and blood sugar regulation.
While available on the NHS only for individuals with a significantly high BMI, they can also be purchased through private pharmacies. The jabs’ rising demand has led to illegal sales on social media and beauty salons without professional guidance.
The MHRA urges individuals to discuss the risks and rewards of these treatments with their prescribers and fully comprehend any potential side effects by consulting with a healthcare provider.
The agency has received approximately 40 pregnancy-related reports submitted through its Yellow Card scheme, including incidents of unintended pregnancies.
As Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA explained, animal studies indicate that these medications may pose risks to unborn babies.
“However, we lack definitive data on potential effects in human subjects. More research is essential,” she noted.
Typically, women of childbearing age are excluded from clinical trials, leading to limited safety information tailored for them.
“If you’re on this medication and become pregnant, consulting your doctor about discontinuing it as soon as possible is crucial,” Dr. Cave advised.
Sukhi Basra, vice-chairwoman of the National Pharmacy Association, encourages women to seek pharmacy advice regarding when to cease medication and insists on purchasing from legitimate pharmacies.
Dr. Bassel Wattar, a pregnancy expert at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals, recommended the implant or IUD as more reliable contraceptive options compared to the oral pill while using these injections.
While significant weight loss can sometimes help women restore natural ovulation and enhance their chances of conception, such plans should be managed by specialists to ensure pregnancy is safely planned post-treatment.
According to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), women in the UK encounter considerable hurdles in accessing their preferred contraceptive methods.
Barriers such as appointment shortages, long wait times, and high costs contribute to these challenges, prompting BPAS to call for improved strategies to ensure women have the choices they need.
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