Can you take Ozempic (semaglutide) while pregnant?

It is typically not recommended to take Ozempic® while you are pregnant. Ozempic has not been studied in pregnancy and its safety during pregnancy is not established in humans. Animal studies demonstrated that when exposed to semaglutide during pregnancy, there was an increased risk for miscarriage and fetal structural abnormalities. As Ozempic is FDA-approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes, if you are planning on becoming pregnant or are pregnant it is important you discuss other treatment options for your diabetes with your medical provider. As there are safer medication options for diabetes management during pregnancy, Ozempic is typically not continued during pregnancy.

In some cases, people who do not have type 2 diabetes take Ozempic for weight loss. This is considered off-label use. For these individuals, it is not recommended to take Ozempic during pregnancy as excessive weight loss during pregnancy may affect fetal development. Furthermore, weight loss medications in general are not recommended in patients who are pregnant. Per manufacturer instructions, those who are planning to become pregnant should discontinue Ozempic two months prior to becoming pregnant due to the time it takes for the medication to be cleared from the body. If you are trying to lose weight before becoming pregnant or not exceed weight gain recommendations during pregnancy, it is important you discuss the safest way to do so with your medical provider.