Despite its FDA approval, semaglutide isn’t safe for pregnant women. That’s because the drug has been shown to cause birth complications in animals, according to Vox.
It’s also been linked to thyroid cancer in animals, although it hasn’t been shown to increase this risk in humans. So if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, let your doctor know right away.
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus) is a medicine used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. It works by increasing the amount of insulin released, lowering the amount of glucagon released, and delaying gastric emptying.
This medication is available as tablets and as a subcutaneous injection. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes who already have heart disease.
The drug is a GLP-1 agonist, which means it increases the release of insulin, lowers the amount of glucagon, and delays gastric emptying. It is the first oral GLP-1 agonist to be approved by the FDA.
The medication is used in combination with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. It is also used to lose weight in certain patients.
What are the side effects of semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an effective medication that helps people lose weight, reduce their blood sugar, and improve their overall health. However, it has a few side effects that you should know about before taking the drug.
Some of the most common side effects of semaglutide are nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting can be very uncomfortable, and it may be harder to stick with your treatment plan if you have these side effects.
If you have nausea and vomiting, it’s important to tell your doctor right away. They can give you an emergency medicine to help with these side effects.
Other side effects of semaglutide include a fever, fatigue, and other problems with your digestive system. This is because the antibiotic can cause bacteria to grow out of control in your digestive tract.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, pancreatitis, or diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes caused by diabetes). These medical conditions can increase your risk of side effects.
What should I do if I get pregnant while taking semaglutide?
If you get pregnant while taking semaglutide, you should stop the medication. This can help prevent serious problems, like a baby who is born with low blood sugar or kidney damage.
It also can help you avoid having a baby with low birth weight or having to have an early delivery. The best thing to do is to tell your doctor right away.
The FDA warns that semaglutide can cause thyroid C-cell tumors in people with an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). You should also call your doctor if you notice any swelling of the arms or legs.
Semaglutide can lower your blood sugar levels if you take it along with insulin or other medicines that can lower your blood sugar. This can cause low blood sugar symptoms such as anxiety, blurred vision, feeling drowsy, difficulty thinking, headache, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
In addition, some people have developed inflammation of the pancreas after taking semaglutide (pancreatitis). This is a rare but serious side effect that can cause death or permanent damage to your pancreas.
What should I do if I am pregnant after taking semaglutide?
If you are pregnant, do not take semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) unless your doctor says it is safe for you. This medication may harm your baby and cause health problems in the fetus.
The drug can also increase your risk of developing a thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma. If you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, talk with your doctor before taking Ozempic.
Your doctor will probably tell you to stop taking semaglutide for at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking Ozempic, the baby is at risk of serious health problems, including low birth weight, premature delivery, and fetal growth restriction.
Using Ozempic may cause your resting heart rate to be higher than normal. It may also cause pancreatitis, a condition where your pancreas gets inflamed and can damage it or bleed. This can be fatal. If you feel your heart racing or have any signs of pancreatitis, call your doctor right away.