The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is issuing a reminder to women using popular weight loss and diabetes medications, known as GLP-1 medicines, to ensure they are using safe and effective contraception.

In some cases, women are advised to stop taking these medications at least two months before attempting to conceive.

GLP-1 medicines, which include commonly recognised brand names such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza, are strongly advised against use during pregnancy, when trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding. If a woman becomes pregnant while on these medications, she should consult her healthcare professional and cease the medicine as soon as possible. This precautionary advice stems from insufficient safety data regarding potential harm to the baby.

Effective contraception encompasses both oral forms (the pill) and non-oral methods (such as the implant, coil, or condoms). For those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and using an oral contraceptive, additional use of a non-oral form of contraception is recommended, as Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in this group.

This guidance, which is already detailed in the patient information leaflets accompanying the medicines, forms part of the MHRA's latest advice on the safe use of GLP-1 medicines. The updated guidance comes amid concerns from the UK regulator that some individuals are not using these medications safely, particularly for weight loss. Northern Ireland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Professor Cathy Harrison, endorsed the MHRA's reminder. "With use of weight loss medication on the rise in Northern Ireland and across the UK, it is timely that MHRA have issued this reminder to women who use these medications," she said. "The reminder is clear; do not take GLP-1 medicines if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while using them, you should speak to your healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible."

Professor Harrison stressed the importance of patient awareness: "All patients, on any form of medication, should read the patient information leaflet, or speak with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process."

Beyond contraception, the MHRA's guidance also reiterates that these medicines should not be purchased from unregulated sellers, such as beauty salons or via social media, nor should they be taken without prior consultation with a healthcare professional. Unregulated supply not only exposes individuals to serious health risks but is also illegal. The only way to guarantee a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy.

The advice also includes a reminder to patients about the symptoms of acute pancreatitis, which, although uncommon, can be serious. Key symptoms to watch for include severe stomach pain that radiates to the back and does not subside. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

The MHRA encourages anyone who suspects an adverse reaction to a GLP-1 medicine, or who suspects a product is not genuine, to report it via the Yellow Card scheme.