Contress warning on weight loss medication after dozens of pregnancies | Health

Women who use weight loss medications were asked to use effective contraception after dozens have been reported that they became pregnant while taking the medication.

The regulatory authority for Medicines and Healthcare Products (MHRA) has given the British public in relation to contraception and weight loss medication after 40 reports on pregnancies when using medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Ozempic and Wegven, which contain both Semaglutid, work with a hormone called GLP-1 that triggers an increase in insulin production, the rate with which food is digested with in the stomach and reduces the appetite.

Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient tirepatide, affects a second hormone that is involved in appetite and blood sugar control. Although these were referred to as “weight loss injections”, not all of them are authorized for weight loss.

The Mhra said Mounjaro could reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives such as the pill in overweight people and that women who take the medication should use barrier contraceptives such as condoms. It is said that it received 26 pregnancy -related reports for Mounjaro.

Last year the Guardian reported That the popularity of weight loss drugs had led to an unexpected baby boom. The Facebook group “I got pregnant with Ozempic” had more than 750 members at that time.

The MHRA stated that there were eight reports of pregnancy in those who took Semaglutid, and nine reports for Liraglutid, which occurs in another weight loss drug, Saxenda. Although it is not necessary for women in the reports to say whether pregnancy was unintentional, two of these reports stated that pregnancy was so.

The watchdog also said that these medication should not be taken during pregnancy while trying to become pregnant or becoming while breastfeeding, since “there was not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine can harm the baby”.

In some cases, women should continue to use contraception for up to two months to two months between preventing the medication and trying to get pregnant.

Dr. Channa Jayasena, a consultant for reproductive endocrinology and andrology on the NHS trust of the Imperial College Healthcare, said: “GLP-1 medication copy the natural hormones that were made in the intestine and which they feel full.

“Obesity reduces fertility in women. Women with obesity that take GLP-1 medication are more pregnant than before losing weight.

“In addition, we believe that the absorption of oral contraceptive pills can be reduced with GLP-1 medication that slow down the emptying of the stomach, although further examinations are necessary to confirm this.

“The manual created by the MHRA is reasonable because it emphasizes that women could accidentally become pregnant when taking GLP 1 medication.

“We do not know how harmful GLP-1 medication are during pregnancy. However, we know that other forms of weight loss such as weight loss surgery can increase the opportunities of miscarriage. Therefore, women are recommended to do everything to prevent pregnancy while taking GLP-1 medication.”

Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “Skinny Jabs are medication that is licensed for the treatment of certain diseases and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. They are not a quick solution to lose weight, and was not rated as secure if they are used in this way.

“Our guidance offers patients a one-stop shop for our current advice for the safe use of these powerful medication.

“This guide should not be used as a replacement for reading the patient information sheet or a conversation with a medical specialist as part of the prescription process.”