The surprising gap in the Ozempic conversation
Semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy shouldn't be used during or in the months before pregnancy. Why isn't this more widely known?
New story alert. I have a feature out in Vox today about a surprising gap in the conversation about the semaglutide products Ozempic and Wegovy: the drugs may pose risks to human pregnancy.
In studies of multiple animal species, semaglutide use was linked to birth defects, miscarriages, and low birth weight at higher rates than normal. This data is outlined in the Ozempic and Wegovy drug labels — the big sheet of information that comes with all medicines. No one knows how this will play out in human pregnancies because, like the vast majority of drugs, pregnant people were excluded from the clinical trials.
The Food and Drug Administration says officials there think the problems are likely driven by the weight loss the drugs can cause, not side effects of the active ingredients they contain. But the agency also acknowledges uncertainty: two of four follow-up studies FDA required on approval of Wegovy focus on human pregnancy and finding out if the animal harms translate to people. The agency also advises people to discontinue the drugs at least two months before pregnancy.
Yet the vast majority of the dozen experts I spoke to for this story pointed out these warnings feel buried — they’re not prominently featured in the drug ads (which also incidentally, prominently feature women), or on the packaging, label, and instructions for the medicines. (Even some of the researchers who study the drugs weren’t aware of the risks.) Given so many people use these products off-label, or get them online without medical supervision, making sure there’s public awareness about potential pregnancy risks is even more critical, they said.
You can read more about the details of the animal studies, how experts and the FDA interpret the risks to people, why so little is known about pharmaceuticals generally in pregnancy, and more, here at Vox.
Thanks as usual for reading and do ping with any questions or comments.
Yours,
Julia
Hello. I heard on NPR, honestly? Wait Wait Don't Tel me... that Ozempic is causing "stomach paralysis." Are you still following the longer term effects of both body and culture about this drug? Love to hear from you. Cynthia
As usual, you’re the first to tease out important information that is hidden from the general public. And stated very cleanly and inviting more reading. Thank you, Cynthia Wall LCSW.