Planning a Pregnancy? New Guidelines on Weight-Loss Drugs
New international guidelines, based on a systematic review in the journal Obesity Reviews, recommend that women of childbearing age not use GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda) during pregnancy. However, unintentional exposure early in pregnancy is not a reason to terminate the pregnancy, according to available data. Experts emphasize the importance of treating obesity before pregnancy to improve fertility and reduce complications.
New international guidelines, based on a systematic review published in the journal Obesity Reviews, provide for the first time recommendations for women of childbearing age taking GLP-1 medications for obesity and diabetes, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Saxenda. Experts recommend against using these drugs during pregnancy but stress that unintentional exposure early in pregnancy is not currently, based on available data, a reason to terminate the pregnancy. The guidelines stem from the need to regulate the growing use of these drugs and the complex questions they raise about fertility and pregnancy. Experts emphasize that obesity affects fertility and pregnancy outcomes, and improving metabolic health before conception is an important step to reduce risk to both mother and fetus. The drugs may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation, and studies have found improvements in ovulation cycles and chances of conception in women with PCOS. The official recommendation is to stop treatment when planning pregnancy or immediately upon discovery of pregnancy, due to a lack of large studies on their safety throughout pregnancy. However, data from 34 studies involving thousands of women showed no increase in the rate of birth defects. Regarding breastfeeding, a small study with eight women did not find the drug in breast milk, but data are limited. Dr. Osnat Raziel, director of the multidisciplinary center for obesity treatment at Assia Medical, emphasizes the importance of treatment before pregnancy and the need for proper medical follow-up.