- Is it safe to take Ozempic during pregnancy?
- Can Ozempic increase fertility and help you get pregnant?
- Should you stop taking Semaglutide if you are trying to conceive?
- What to do if you get pregnant while taking Ozempic
- Safe diabetes medications to take during pregnancy
- Can you take Ozempic while breastfeeding?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- Source
Ozempic (Semaglutide) is an injectable (subcutaneous) prescription medication for type 2 diabetes.
If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive (TTC), you may wonder if it’s safe for you to continue taking Ozempic.
We cover the safety, benefits, and risks of Ozempic use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and how Semaglutide affects fertility.
Is it safe to take Ozempic during pregnancy?
Using Ozempic during pregnancy is generally not advised due to insufficient safety data for pregnant women.
However, as per many animal models, specifically rats, rabbits, and monkeys, Ozempic has been found to have adverse effects.
Semaglutide’s exposure to pregnant rats resulted in fetal harm, including pregnancy loss, birth defects, and skeletal abnormalities.
Similar studies on rabbits and monkeys also showed early pregnancy losses and various birth defects in fetuses.
According to the guidelines from the makers of Ozempic, this medication should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits to the unborn baby are significantly greater than any possible risk.
Although there is a chance that the adverse effects observed in pregnant animals will not materialize in humans, doctors and medical experts cannot rule out the risk of using Ozempic on pregnant women or those wanting to get pregnant.
The FDA has also noted that these drugs can lead to weight loss. However, during pregnancy, weight loss is not beneficial and could potentially harm the fetus.
Can Ozempic increase fertility and help you get pregnant?
There is no evidence that Ozempic directly increases your chances of getting pregnant.
An indirect way Ozempic might aid in fertility is through its role in hormone regulation and weight reduction.
Studies show that Ozempic can help you lose weight and keep your hormones in order, which can make it easier to get pregnant.
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Should you stop taking Semaglutide if you are trying to conceive?
Yes, you should discontinue the use of Ozempic two months before beginning your fertility treatment if you are attempting to conceive.
The reason for such early discontinuation is to guarantee that Ozempic is eliminated from the body before conception and to give your body a chance to recover from the effects of Ozempic.
What to do if you get pregnant while taking Ozempic
Even though there have been reports of healthy pregnancies among women with the use of Ozempic or other GLP-1 antagonists, the efficacy and safety of semaglutide during pregnancy are currently being studied.
There are still questions about the safety and well-being of the unborn child.
If you end up getting pregnant while using Ozempic, consult a healthcare professional after a positive test.
They are in the most significant position to tell you what to do and provide less risky options.
If you got pregnant while taking Ozempic, your healthcare provider will likely advise you to stop taking it.
However, it’s essential to do this under medical supervision, similar to how it was started as a treatment.
Safe diabetes medications to take during pregnancy
Medical professionals often advise diabetic mothers to switch to alternative medicines during pregnancy, such as:
Glyburide
Glyburide is an oral antidiabetic drug that is often recommended as an alternative during pregnancy.
It has been endorsed for use in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes.
Nevertheless, recent findings contradict previous claims, demonstrating that glyburide passes through the placenta.
Due to these findings, the use of glyburide by pregnant women should be closely monitored and conducted under strict medical supervision. This ensures the safety of both the mother and the unborn baby.
Insulin
Insulin has been extensively used for a long time and is known to be safe for both the mother and the unborn baby.
The safety is because insulin does not cross the placenta, so it doesn’t harm the unborn baby, making it a trusted option for both expectant mothers and their babies.
Can you take Ozempic while breastfeeding?
Currently, there is no evidence that using Ozempic during nursing is safe.
Traces of ozempic have been found in breast milk from animals, but how it would affect human breast milk is still unknown.
Even though lactation differs among species, experts suggest that if a drug gets into rat milk, it probably gets into human milk, too.
Based on the latest available data, it is advisable to exercise caution on using Ozempic during breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to explore alternative treatment options.
Metformin, glyburide, and insulin are generally considered safe for breastfeeding use because they either do not penetrate breast milk or do so in minimal amounts.
FAQs
Does Semaglutide cancel out birth control?
While there’s no direct evidence that Ozempic interferes with birth control, its side effects, like vomiting and diarrhea, could potentially reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
In clinical trials, 5-9.2% of Ozempic users experienced vomiting, and about 9% reported diarrhea. These side effects tend to decrease over time with continued use of Ozempic.
Additionally, Ozempic-induced hormonal changes may alter menstruation cycles. If these side effects do not occur in individuals using Ozempic or similar drugs, it is generally okay to continue using oral contraceptives.
If they do, then using alternative methods, such as contraceptive patches or an IUD, is advisable.
Is using Ozempic while trying to conceive (TTC) safe?
The data lacks information about Ozempic’s safety for conceiving purposes. That is why it is best to discontinue using it at least two months before conceiving.
Are there any potential risks to losing weight with Ozempic before pregnancy?
Dramatic weight loss right before pregnancy can affect fertility and may lead to potential risks for the mother and baby. It’s essential to discuss this with a healthcare provider.
Conclusion
The safety of Ozempic use in breastfeeding women and the risks during pregnancy are not well established.
As a result, healthcare providers often suggest using safer alternatives like insulin and glyburide, which have proven safe for both the mother and the baby.
Similarly, women with diabetes or fertility-related weight issues should have a comprehensive discussion with healthcare providers.
It must include all about the risks and benefits of medications like Ozempic and the other aspects of health management, including diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors.
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