Warning over pregnancy risk on weight-loss drugs

People using weight-loss drugs have been urged to use effective contraception after dozens of pregnancies were reported while on the medication.

- Tobi Thomas

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is issuing the alert after receiving 40 reports relating to pregnancies among people using drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Ozempic and Wegovy, which both contain semaglutide, work by mimicking a hormone in the body called GLP-1 that triggers an increase in insulin production, slows the rate at which food is digested in the stomach, and reduces appetite.

Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient of tirzepatide, also acts on a second hormone involved in appetite and blood sugar control.

Although these have been referred to as "weight-loss injections" not all are authorised for weight loss.