Semaglutide, a drug that’s commonly used to lower blood sugar levels, is also becoming popular as a weight loss medication. It’s a once-weekly injection that comes in a special pen that can be self-administered.
However, there are concerns that this drug can negatively affect fertility and fetal health. That’s why it’s important to stop taking Ozempic at least two months before trying to conceive.
Metformin
Metformin is a biguanide that controls high blood glucose, or sugar, in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s also used off-label to treat other conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility.
It’s a medicine you take daily, or with a meal, to help control your blood sugar level. It works by lowering the amount of sugar your intestines absorb and decreases how much glucose your liver makes.
The Ozempic injection contains semaglutide, a medication that stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors in your body. This action encourages your pancreas to produce more insulin, helping lower your blood sugar.
However, semaglutide has some side effects, including gastric upset and lactic acidosis (a rare but serious condition that causes your body to break down lactic acid). Talk to your doctor about any possible side effects you may have when taking Ozempic.
You should not use metformin if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. This medicine may increase the risk of having a baby with birth defects. It’s also not safe to breastfeed while you’re taking metformin.
Fertility drugs
There are a number of drugs your doctor may prescribe to help you conceive. These drugs are often used in combination with other fertility treatment techniques to increase your chances of conceiving.
Clomid (clomiphene citrate) – This anti-estrogen drug can help you ovulate, or release an egg, more frequently. The more eggs you ovulate, the better chance you have of getting pregnant naturally.
Human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG – This hormone triggers your ovaries to produce eggs. This can also be used to supplement the effects of clomiphene.
GnRH agonists or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (leuprolide acetate, nafarelin acetate, buserelin, goserelin) – These medications are sometimes used in conjunction with FSH and hMG shots. These medications help prevent immature eggs from being released, which can interfere with your ability to get pregnant.
If you are trying to conceive, talk with your doctor about the risks of using these drugs. Discuss your options with your partner, and do your homework before you make a decision.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a once-weekly medicine used with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.
The drug is available under the brand names Ozempic (injected) and Wegovy (oral). Both drugs contain the active ingredient semaglutide, which works by helping the pancreas release more insulin.
But semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects in pregnant women. This is based on animal studies, which show that animals who were given the injectable drug had higher rates of miscarriage and had babies with more birth defects than expected.
Currently, Novo Nordisk is working with the FDA to organize a study to analyze complications associated with Wegovy in pregnancies that have already occurred and a registry that will prospectively follow health outcomes of individuals exposed to Wegovy during pregnancy.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the period of time a woman is carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside her body. It usually starts two weeks before a woman’s last menstrual period and lasts for about nine months, with each trimester roughly three months long.
However, the definition of “pregnancy” varies from state to state. For example, some states define pregnancy as the time of fertilization, while others say that it begins at implantation.
If you’re trying to conceive while on ozempic or any other semaglutide drug, it is important that you talk to your doctor about your options. They can tell you whether it is safe to use and what steps to take if you do become pregnant while taking the medication.