‘Effective contraception’ must be used by women on weight-loss jabs, warns MHRA

Women using medicines for weight loss and diabetes have been urged to use ‘effective contraception’, in latest guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The MHRA said weight-loss injections – also sometimes referred to as ‘skinny jabs’ – must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant or during breastfeeding.

‘Anyone who gets pregnant while using them should speak to their healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible,’ the regulator said.

‘This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.’

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The latest guidance covers the safe use of GLP-1 medicines, known by the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda and Victoza.

The MHRA said that ‘effective contraception’ includes oral (the pill) and non-oral (the implant, coil or condoms) forms of contraception.

However, it warned that Mounjaro may ‘reduce the effectiveness’ of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight.

Those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception have also been advised to use a non-oral form of contraception as well.

‘This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase,’ the MHRA added.

The latest advice comes amid concerns from the MHRA that some people are not using these medicines for weight loss and diabetes safely or accessing appropriately regulated products.

MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: ‘Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments.

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‘They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way.’

She added: ‘Our guidance offers patients a “one stop shop” for our up-to-date advice on how to use these powerful medicines safely.

‘This guidance should not be used as a substitute to reading the patient information leaflet or having a conversation with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process.’

Weight-loss jabs must not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or taken without a prior consultation with a healthcare professional, the MHRA added.

‘Not only does this expose people wanting to lose weight to serious health risks, it is also against the law to sell these medicines in this way,’ it said.

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‘The only way to guarantee receiving a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy.’

Summary of advice to patients from the MHRA

• You should only take GLP-1 medicines if they have been prescribed to you by a healthcare professional.
• Always have a conversation with your prescriber about the benefits and risks of GLP-1 medicines before you start taking them.
• Do not take GLP-1 medicines if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while using them, you speak to a healthcare professional and stop them as soon as possible.
• If you are prescribed Mounjaro (tirzepatide), use a barrier form of contraception and do not rely on oral contraception.
• Understand the potential side effects and have a conversation with a healthcare professional if you are concerned.
• Tell your doctor you take a GLP-1 medicine if you are about to have surgery.
• Report any adverse reactions to the Yellow Card scheme.
• After taking the recommended four doses in each syringe, any medicine left in the syringe should not be extracted and the syringe should be disposed of in the bin.
• Use of these medicines is not a quick fix to lose weight and the MHRA has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of these medicines when used by people who do not meet the medical requirements.

Source: MHRA