GLP-1 receptor agonists

Date: July 2024, Version 1.0

Quick read

GLP-1 receptor agonists should not be used in pregnancy as there is not enough information to say they are safe for your baby.

What are they?

GLP-1 receptor agonists available in the UK include dulaglutide [Trulicity®], exenatide [Byetta®], liraglutide [Saxenda®, Victoza®], lixisenatide [Lyxumia®], semaglutide [Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®] and tirzepatide [Mounjaro®].

These medications are used to help control type 2 diabetes and for weight loss.

Benefits

What are the benefits of using a GLP-1 receptor agonist in pregnancy?

GLP-1 receptor agonists should not be used in pregnancy as there is not enough information available to confirm that they are safe for the baby.

Risks

What are the risks of using a GLP-1 receptor agonist in pregnancy?

At the moment, it is unclear if there are any risks. There are a small number of reports about women who were using a GLP-1 receptor agonist before realising they were pregnant and who then stopped taking them. These reports do not raise concern that GLP-1 receptor agonists used in early pregnancy harm the baby. More research is required to confirm this, as well as whether there are risks to the baby when a GLP-1 receptor agonist is used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Alternatives

Are there any alternatives to using a GLP-1 receptor agonist in pregnancy?

Yes. Other medicines can be used to safely treat type 2 diabetes in pregnancy.

Women are not generally advised to attempt to lose weight during pregnancy. If you are using a GLP-1 receptor agonist to reduce your BMI, your doctor or specialist will recommend that you stop the drug and try to limit pregnancy weight gain through lifestyle measures, such as a healthy diet and moderate physical activity.

No treatment

What if I prefer not to take medicines in pregnancy?

It is important that type 2 diabetes is well-controlled during pregnancy as it can lead to complications for both mother and baby. A doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to talk about any concerns.

Will I or my baby need extra monitoring?

As part of routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s development. No extra monitoring for major birth defects is required following use in early pregnancy of a GLP-1 receptor agonist. If you have type 2 diabetes and/or a high BMI, you may be offered more regular pregnancy monitoring.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has used a GLP-1 receptor agonist?

There is no evidence that a GLP-1 receptor agonist used by the father can harm your baby through effects on the sperm.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.