When you are preparing to welcome a new baby or already breastfeeding, the safety of any medication you take is a key concern. Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is a newer treatment option for managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss, but it is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Let’s dive into why and what steps you can take if you currently use Mounjaro.
Mounjaro and Pregnancy: What You Should Know
When pregnant, it is important to focus on maintaining your health and well-being to give your baby the best start. Unfortunately, Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy, as its safety has not been established for expecting mothers. The lack of sufficient human data and some concerning results in animal studies mean that this medication might pose potential risks to the developing foetus.
In animal studies, Tirzepatide has shown adverse effects on foetal development, including reduced weight and potential for birth defects at doses like what humans would take. While these results do not necessarily translate directly to humans, they do raise concerns. Currently, there are no controlled clinical trials that confirm whether it is safe for pregnant women.
What Should You Do if You Are Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant?
If you are using Mounjaro and planning to start a family, it is generally recommended to stop using the medication at least two months before trying to conceive. This gives your body time to clear the medication from your system completely. It is also essential to have a conversation with your GP so that they can guide you on alternative treatments for diabetes or weight management during your pregnancy journey.
Additionally, if you are taking Mounjaro injection and oral contraceptives, be aware that Mounjaro can interfere with their effectiveness. To prevent unintended pregnancies, switch to a non-oral contraceptive method (like an intrauterine device or barrier methods) for at least 4 weeks after starting or increasing the dose of Mounjaro.
Can You Take Mounjaro While Breastfeeding?
The safety of Mounjaro during breastfeeding is also uncertain. Currently, there is no data available on whether the medication can pass into breast milk or how it might affect a nursing baby. As a result, health experts recommend avoiding its use while breastfeeding to err on the side of caution.
Here are a few things we simply do not know yet:
– Does Mounjaro affect the amount of breast milk produced?
– Can the medication pass through breast milk to the baby?
– How might Mounjaro impact an infant’s growth and development?
Because of these unknowns, most healthcare providers advise women to discontinue the medication entirely until they are done nursing.
What Are Your Options?
If you are pregnant, planning a family, or breastfeeding and need support for diabetes or weight management, there are other treatments that have been studied more extensively for use in these situations. Insulin, for instance, has a long history of safe use in pregnant women with diabetes and is usually the first choice if you need medication during pregnancy.
For weight management, it is often advised to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than taking weight loss medications until after breastfeeding has ended.
If you would like more information, speak to your GP or weight loss programme provider for further advice.