MHRA Warns Women on Weight-Loss Drug Pregnancy Risks

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has urgently warned women using weight-loss and diabetes injections such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza not to use these drugs during pregnancy, when trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding, due to insufficient safety data about risks to unborn babies. Mounjaro may specifically reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in overweight women, prompting guidance to use barrier or non-oral contraception and to continue contraception for a 'wash-out' period after stopping treatment. The MHRA has documented over 40 pregnancy-related cases, including miscarriages, birth defects, and unintended pregnancies in the UK. The agency also warns against obtaining these medications from unregulated sources such as beauty salons or online sellers, stressing they are for approved medical use under supervision. Experts note that gastrointestinal side effects from these drugs can impair absorption of oral contraceptives, and animal studies point to potential fetal development risks. Women who become pregnant while using these drugs are advised to stop immediately and seek medical advice.