Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It works by stimulating a receptor in the stomach and small intestine called GLP-1.
This helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce hunger. However, it can also cause some side effects.
Risks to the fetus
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy) is a prescription medication used to help people with diabetes control their weight. It works by increasing a type of hormone called GLP-1.
During pregnancy, Ozempic is associated with some risks to the fetus. This includes an increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and lower birth weight.
According to the drug’s labels, pregnant women should discontinue Ozempic and Wegovy at least two months before attempting to conceive. That’s because these medications have a high half-life, meaning they leave your body slowly over time.
If you’re pregnant and taking ozempic, talk to your doctor about the risks to your fetus. They may recommend a different medicine.
Miscarriage
It’s not known whether Ozempic causes miscarriage in pregnant women, but it can cause a low birth weight if a woman gets pregnant while taking the drug. That’s because the drug slows down the rate at which food is absorbed by the body.
Because of this, it’s not recommended to use ozempic when trying to conceive, especially if you have a history of diabetes. Your doctor can talk to you about what steps to take if you get pregnant while taking this drug.
In addition, because the drug slows down the rate at how quickly the stomach empties, it can cause gastric contents to splash up into your esophagus, a condition called aspiration. That’s something to keep in mind if you plan on having any type of medical procedure while you’re taking semaglutide, says Klein.
The popularity of semaglutide has caused shortages for people who need it to control their blood sugar, according to health experts. That has caused some patients to suffer setbacks in their physical and mental health.
Low birth weight
If you get pregnant on ozempic, your baby can have a low birth weight. This is a condition in which your baby is born weighing less than 2,500 grams (about 5 pounds, 8 ounces).
Most low-birthweight babies are premature. These babies are usually born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Premature babies tend to be small and immature, which means they may have problems with their health or growth. These babies are referred to special follow-up healthcare programs and may require treatment for health conditions like cerebral palsy, seizures and other brain disorders.
The risk of having a low-birthweight baby increases for people who live in areas with high levels of air pollution. This can be especially true for women who are smokers or use tobacco products.
Many other factors can also cause a low-birthweight baby, such as not gaining enough weight during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or taking illicit drugs and certain medications can also inhibit your baby’s growth during pregnancy.
Premature delivery
If you get pregnant on ozempic, you may be more likely to deliver your baby early. Premature delivery (also called a premature birth) is when your baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Each year, about 1 in 10 babies in the US is born prematurely.
If your baby is born too early, it will have serious health problems at birth and later in life. They can have trouble breathing and can also develop infections.
They may also have a low weight at birth and problems with their heart, brain or bones. These problems can make it harder for them to learn, communicate and take care of themselves.
When a premature baby is born, she is often kept in a special room where she’s monitored continuously with equipment that monitors her heart rate and oxygen levels. Her temperature and skin may also be closely watched to make sure she doesn’t develop problems.