‘Weight loss injections’ contraception warning for women
Date published:
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are reminding women on popular medicines for weight loss and diabetes to use safe and effective contraception.
In some cases, it is advised that women stop the medication at least two months before trying to get pregnant.
GLP-1 medicines, more commonly known by their brand names, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda and Victoza, should 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. This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.
Effective contraception includes oral (the pill) and non-oral (the implant, coil or condoms) forms of contraception. Those taking Mounjaro, who are overweight and using an oral form of contraception, are advised to also use a non-oral form. Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight.
This advice, which is already in the patient leaflets that come with the medicine, is just one of the reminders in the latest guidance from the MHRA on the safe use of “GLP-1 medicines”.
The full advice can be found on the regulator’s website. It comes after concerns from the UK regulator that some people are not using these medicines for weight loss and diabetes safely.
Northern Ireland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Professor Cathy Harrison said: “With use of weight loss medication on the rise in Northern Ireland and across the UK, it is timely that MHRA have issued this reminder to women who use these medications.
“The reminder is clear; do not take GLP-1 medicines if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while using them, you should speak to your healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible.
“All patients, on any form of medication, should read the patient information leaflet, or speak with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process.”
Alongside advice on contraceptive use, the MHRA reminds patients that these medicines should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or taken without a prior consultation with a healthcare professional. 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 only way to guarantee receiving a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy.
The guidance also reminds patients of the symptoms to look out for in the event of acute pancreatitis which, although uncommon, can be serious. The main symptom of this is severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and doesn’t go away. Anyone who experiences this should seek immediate medical help.
Anyone who suspects that they’ve had an adverse reaction to a GLP-1 medicine, or suspects it is not a genuine product, should report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Notes to editors:
- The MHRA full guidance is available here.
- The MHRA press release issued on 5th June, is available here.
- The Department recently announced a new Regional Obesity Management Service for Northern Ireland, which will support access to weight loss medication in line with NICE guidance. Rollout will be carefully managed in a phased manner to ensure that treatment is provided in a safe and effective manner. For more information visit: NI to get its first Obesity Management Service | Department of Health
- For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
- Follow us on X @healthdpt and linkedIn Department of Health NI | LinkedIn
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.