If you’re considering taking ozempic, also known as semaglutide, while trying to get pregnant, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the possible risks. The drug may harm your baby and cause a number of health problems.
Ozempic is part of a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists). It’s used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity in people who can’t control their condition with diet and exercise alone.
What is ozempic?
Ozempic is a prescription medication that’s used to help people who have diabetes or are overweight lose weight. It’s also used to control high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and lower their A1C levels.
This medicine is injected under the skin using an injection pen. It’s a safe and effective way to treat type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but it’s not for everyone.
You can take ozempic with or without food, as long as your doctor recommends it. It’s available as 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2mg dose pens.
To avoid hypoglycemia, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely while taking ozempic. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (such as drowsiness, hunger or headache), call your doctor right away.
Ozempic is not recommended for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding because it can cause serious side effects. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using ozempic during these times.
How does ozempic work?
Ozempic is a type of medication that helps control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It works by activating something called the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor and inhibiting glucagon secretion.
This can help lower blood sugar levels and also aid in weight loss by slowing the rate of digestion in your stomach. This means that less sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream, which can help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
If you are taking ozempic to manage your diabetes, your doctor will likely advise you to stop it two months before you try to get pregnant. This is because semaglutide can cause a condition known as intrauterine growth restriction, which can affect the growth of your unborn child.
While there is some debate over whether semaglutides can affect fertility, OB-GYNs recommend not taking them while trying to get pregnant. There are safer medications for diabetes, and if you are interested in trying to conceive, talk to your ob-gyn about what is right for you.
Can ozempic cause pregnancy?
The good news is that there’s not enough evidence to say that ozempic can negatively impact your chances of getting pregnant. Nevertheless, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you are trying to conceive and have been taking ozempic.
Because of the way prescription drugs are approved by the FDA, it’s typically not until after they’ve been studied in pregnant humans that they get into the market. But that’s not the case with semaglutide products — Ozempic and Wegovy, specifically.
They’re relatively new drugs on the market to treat diabetes and obesity, and studies in animals have uncovered some harms, including higher rates of miscarriage and birth defects.
But the data on pregnancy issues aren’t displayed prominently in drug labels or side-of-package warnings, and health experts say that could make it difficult for patients to know about them. And some people are being prescribed the drugs for “off-label” use, meaning their physicians might not be familiar with the potential risks.
Is ozempic safe to take during pregnancy?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medicine used to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It works by increasing the amount of insulin your body makes when blood sugar levels are high.
It also blocks your liver from making glucose and helps you feel full for a longer period of time. Both of these effects may help you lose weight and keep your blood sugar lower, lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke.
The FDA recommends that people with diabetes who want to get pregnant should stop taking ozempic at least two months before they try to conceive. But that advice is based on limited data.
Those who take the drug for an approved use, like treating diabetes, can expect side effects such as nausea, dehydration, fatigue and changes in their bowel movements. If these symptoms occur, doctors may prescribe anti-nausea medicines and laxatives or stool softeners.