Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and birth control: What to know

Can someone get pregnant on Ozempic with birth control?

There have been reports on social media of people getting pregnant while taking Ozempic with birth control. Weight loss medications may alter the efficacy of oral birth control, and weight loss may increase fertility in some cases. However, more research is necessary to definitively prove this.

What medications should people not take with semaglutide?

Semaglutide delays gastric emptying and may affect the absorption of any oral drugs that people take at the same time. Taking semaglutide with insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar. If people take insulin or any other medications, they must check with a doctor before taking semaglutide.

Does semaglutide affect hormonal birth control?

Some theories suggest that semaglutide may affect the absorption of hormonal birth control pills since it delays gastric emptying. However, more scientific evidence is necessary to understand whether semaglutide affects hormonal birth control.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may affect the absorption of birth control pills. However, more research is necessary to know whether it makes them less effective or affects other types of birth control.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Semaglutide is not available as a generic version but is the key ingredient in the brand-name drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

Semaglutide lowers blood sugar and reduces appetite. People may take semaglutide drugs to help manage type 2 diabetes, lose weight, and reduce the risk of severe cardiovascular events. However, it may affect the absorption of birth control pills.

The effects of semaglutide on the birth control pill are still unclear.

According to a small-scale 2018 study, oral semaglutide does not affect the bioavailability of the combined birth control pill, which contains ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel.

Bioavailability refers to how the body is able to absorb and use the medication.

The study included 25 healthy, postmenopausal females who took the birth control for 8 days on its own and then 8 days alongside oral semaglutide.

This suggests oral semaglutide does not affect the effectiveness of the ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel pill, although the effect of semaglutide injections is not clear.

The study authors were employees of Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Semaglutide delays gastric emptying, slowing the time it takes for food to leave the stomach. Theories suggest semaglutide’s effects on the digestive system may affect how the body absorbs oral medications, but there is currently no evidence.

Other types of birth control, such as implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), release substances into the bloodstream or uterus rather than going through the digestive system.

However, there is not yet enough research to know how semaglutide might affect different types of contraceptives.

Ultimately, more high quality studies are necessary to understand any potential effects semaglutide has on the effectiveness of the birth control pill and other types of contraceptives.

If people have concerns about using semaglutide with birth control, they can speak with a doctor to discuss how to effectively prevent pregnancy.

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People can speak with a doctor if they have concerns about how their weight or current medications may affect their fertility.

Semaglutide and pregnancy

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If people are planning to become pregnant, they should stop using these drugs

Semaglutide may cause potential harm to a fetus. Animal studies have shown pregnancy loss and complications with semaglutide.

People should always talk with a doctor about using semaglutide if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

The exact effects semaglutide may have on birth control pills are unclear. If people have any concerns about using oral birth control with semaglutide, it is best to talk with a doctor.

A doctor may suggest considering additional or alternative birth control, such as condoms or non-oral contraceptives, if people do not want to get pregnant while taking semaglutide.

If people are planning to become pregnant or conceive while taking semaglutide, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. Semaglutide may not be safe to take before and during pregnancy.

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