Can You Take Ozempic^® While Pregnant? Probably Not — Here’s Why

If you’re pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, it’s natural to have questions about your medications. And if you’re taking Ozempic^®, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider to discuss how it could affect you and your baby.

For some people with type 2 diabetes, the benefits of staying on Ozempic^® (one of the brand-name medications for semaglutide) during pregnancy may outweigh the risks. But that’s not the case for everyone.

According to the Ozempic^® prescribing information, you should stop taking Ozempic^® at least two months before a planned pregnancy. This recommendation is based largely on animal studies, which suggest Ozempic^® could cause fetal harm during pregnancy.

Below, we’ll dive into the research on Ozempic^® and pregnancy and what to do if you unexpectedly find out you’re pregnant while on the medication.

Most people shouldn’t take Ozempic^® while pregnant. There aren’t many human studies on this topic, but according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), animal studies suggest Ozempic^® could potentially harm the fetus.

That’s why your healthcare provider will only recommend Ozempic^® while pregnant if the benefits of the medication outweigh the potential risks.

Remember, Ozempic^® is only FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. If you’re taking Ozempic^® off-label for obesity or overweight, your OB/GYN or other healthcare provider will most likely advise you to stop the drug before becoming pregnant.

Another thing to consider: There might be exceptions to this, but it’s generally not advisable for people to lose weight while pregnant. This is because the weight you gain during pregnancy helps your baby grow and develop properly.

If you’re taking Ozempic^® for type 2 diabetes, your situation may require extra care and conversation.

Managing blood sugar (glucose) during pregnancy is important for both your health and your baby’s. Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of certain complications, including:

• Preterm delivery

• Delivery complications

• Miscarriage

• Preeclampsia

• Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition

It can also raise the risk of certain outcomes for your baby, like:

• Major congenital abnormalities (birth defects)

• Stillbirth

• Macrosomia-related morbidity (health issues related to being a larger-than-average size)

Your healthcare provider can discuss the pros and cons of stopping Ozempic^® while pregnant and may recommend a different type 2 diabetes treatment option, like metformin.

There isn’t much research on humans taking Ozempic^® while pregnant, but we do have some animal studies to go off.

Here’s what we know.

Studies on Humans

A 2023 review mentions a couple of human studies on liraglutide and exendin-4, which are both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) receptor agonists like Ozempic^®.

The research showed that the drugs didn’t transfer across the placenta. However, one study only included one person, and another was an ex-vivo study (which just means it was done outside of humans) on a placenta.

Clinical trials on human pregnancies are taking place as we speak, though.

One study looking into how Wegovy^® affects pregnant women and their babies is due to be completed in 2027. Wegovy^® contains a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic^®, but this research should give us clues as to how safe Ozempic^® and other weight loss medications are for pregnant people.

Learn more about whether you can take Wegovy^® while pregnant.

Studies on Rats

The FDA shares some animal studies in the prescribing information for Ozempic^®.

For example, in one study, rats were given 0.01 mg (milligrams), 0.03 mg, and 0.09 mg of semaglutide per kilogram of body weight per day. This equals six percent, 20 percent, and 60 percent of the maximum recommended human dose.

Mother rats ate less and lost weight at all doses. The baby rats had:

• Reduced growth

• Defects in their heart blood vessels

• Defects in bones in their skulls, ribs, and vertebrae

The rats were given Ozempic^® two weeks before getting pregnant until day 17 of their pregnancies. For context, rat pregnancies are usually 21 to 24 days long.

Studies on Rabbits

Similar problems were reported in pregnant rabbits given Ozempic^®.

Researchers gave rabbits 0.001 mg, 0.0025 mg, or 0.0075 mg of semaglutide per kilogram of body weight per day. Those numbers sound very small, but they’re equivalent to six percent, 20 percent, and 60 percent of the maximum recommended human dose.

The rabbits were given semaglutide throughout organogenesis, the period during pregnancy when the baby’s organs develop.

At the 0.0025-mg and 0.0075-mg doses, researchers noted:

• Early pregnancy losses

• Kidney and liver abnormalities

• Chest bone defects

At all doses, the mother rabbits ate less and had a reduction in weight gain.

Studies on Monkeys

Studies on monkeys have had similar findings.

Researchers gave pregnant monkeys 0.015-mg, 0.075-mg, and 0.15-mg doses of semaglutide per kilogram of body weight twice weekly throughout organogenesis. This was equivalent to half, three times, and eight times the maximum recommended human dose.

With the 0.075-mg and 0.15-mg doses, the mother monkeys ate less, lost weight, and didn’t gain as much weight as usual during pregnancy. Researchers also noted birth defects in the bones of the baby rats.

In another study, pregnant monkeys were given 0.015 mg, 0.075 mg, and 0.15 mg of semaglutide per kilogram of body weight twice weekly. This was equivalent to about one-third, two times, and four times the maximum recommended human dose.

These monkeys were given semaglutide from day 16 to day 140 of pregnancy.

At the 0.075-mg and 0.15-mg doses, the mother monkeys ate less, lost weight, and didn’t gain as much weight as usual. Researchers also noted an increase in early pregnancy losses and slightly smaller offspring.

Other Animal Studies

A 2023 systematic review looked at 23 records of pregnant animals that were given GLP-1 receptor agonists — the class of drug Ozempic^® belongs to — or sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors — another class of diabetes and weight loss drugs.

In animal studies, GLP-1 medications were associated with:

• Reduced fetal weight and/or growth

• Delayed ossification (bone creation)

• Changes in bone development

These effects usually happened when the mother animal ate less food and didn’t gain as much weight.

According to the prescribing info, you should stop taking Ozempic^® at least two months before a planned pregnancy.

If you’re thinking about growing your family, let your healthcare provider know. They can help you decide when and how to safely stop taking Ozempic^® based on your health needs.

If you’re taking Ozempic^® off-label for weight loss or weight management, your provider will likely advise stopping the medication before trying to get pregnant — but they’ll tailor that guidance to your specific situation.

And if you’re taking Ozempic^® to manage type 2 diabetes, your provider will work with you to weigh the benefits and risks. Depending on your health history, they may recommend switching to another treatment to support both your pregnancy and your blood sugar goals.

If you find out you’re pregnant while taking Ozempic^®, try not to panic. But do reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

They’ll consider your unique situation, including why you’re taking the medication, and help you decide on the safest next steps. In many cases, this may mean stopping Ozempic^® during pregnancy.

Right now, there’s not enough research to say for sure whether it’s safe to breastfeed while using semaglutide.

We don’t yet know if Ozempic^® can:

• Transfer into breast milk

• Affect the baby if it does go into breast milk

• Affect milk production

One animal study showed that small amounts of semaglutide could transfer into rats’ milk, but we don’t know if this could happen in humans.

Given the unknowns, you’re wise to get medical advice from a healthcare professional. They can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking Ozempic^® and figure out what’s safest for you and your baby.

Though more research is needed, current evidence suggests that Ozempic^® likely isn’t safe to use during pregnancy.

Here’s what you need to know about semaglutide and pregnancy:

• Can I take semaglutide while pregnant? Probably not. In general, trying to lose weight while pregnant isn’t recommended. We don’t have many human studies, but animal studies show that taking semaglutide while pregnant may be harmful to the fetus. Specifically, it may increase the risk of birth defects, reduced growth, and early pregnancy loss.

• For some people, the benefits of taking Ozempic^® while pregnant may outweigh the risks. If you’re taking Ozempic^® for type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider can help you decide what’s best for your body and needs. They may recommend staying on the medication if the benefits outweigh the potential risks, or they could suggest switching to an alternative medication to help manage blood sugar levels.

• Most people should stop taking Ozempic^® at least two months before trying to get pregnant. Let your healthcare provider know if you want to try for a baby soon. They can tell you when it’s best to stop taking Ozempic^® for a healthy pregnancy and recommend other diabetes drugs if needed.

If you’re planning to grow your family and are exploring weight loss treatments now, there are safe, effective options to consider beyond medication. That might include lifestyle changes, like focusing on nutrient-rich foods, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.

It’s also worth noting that research links conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) with infertility. So, for some people, weight loss may help improve fertility while trying to conceive — especially when these conditions are part of the picture.

To learn more, check out our deep dive into how Ozempic^® affects fertility.

As with anything pregnancy-related, your best move is to talk to a healthcare provider. They can walk you through your options and help you find a treatment plan that supports both your current health and future goals.

If you’re curious whether weight loss medication might be right for you, start by taking an online weight loss assessment through our women’s health platform.

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.