Tirzepatide is a prescription medication sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. It was developed and approved to be used to help manage type 2 diabetes and has since also been approved for medical weight loss. Because tirzepatide is a newer and stronger medication, many people have asked us questions like “Can you take tirzepatide while pregnant?” and “What happens if I get pregnant on Zepbound?”
Tirzepatide works a bit differently from other GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, and instead of copying one digestive hormone, it mimics two natural hormones that your body releases when you eat that influence your metabolism. These hormones are GLP-1 and GIP, and research has shown that when used together, they provide stronger results, which raises important safety concerns around using tirzepatide while pregnant.
Can You Take Tirzepatide While Pregnant?
No, doctors advise against using tirzepatide during pregnancy, and women who are planning to become pregnant should stop using tirzepatide several months before trying to conceive. If you become pregnant while using tirzepatide, you should contact your doctor right away for guidance.
According to the written prescribing information accompanying the medication and guidance from the FDA, tirzepatide should be discontinued at least two months before attempting pregnancy to allow time for the medication to fully clear from your body.
The FDA and many medical organizations, like the American Diabetes Association, advise that medications in the GLP-1 drug class should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What Are the Main Reasons Why Tirzepatide and Pregnancy Are Not a Good Combination?
The main reasons tirzepatide is not recommended during pregnancy include:
- There have been very few reported human pregnancies involving tirzepatide, so there is no data on how the drug would affect the pregnancy or the developing baby long-term.
- Animal studies showed issues with fetal growth and developmental concerns when tirzepatide was used during pregnancy.
- Since tirzepatide copies two hormones instead of one, researchers believe it may have an even stronger impact on appetite, digestion, and nutrient absorption. These can all be very helpful when your goal is losing weight, but they can create risks during pregnancy, when consistent nutrition is critical.
Does Tirzepatide Affect Fertility?
Yes, it can, but it does not do it directly, because tirzepatide is not designed to be a fertility medication, but losing weight is known to help improve fertility for some women. Carrying too much excess weight can disrupt the balance of your hormones, your ovulation schedule, and your menstrual cycle, but often the closer you get to reaching a healthy weight, the more regulated your cycles become, which can increase your chance of conception.
Many women have reported becoming pregnant after losing weight on tirzepatide. This is not caused by the medication directly, but by improvements in your hormonal levels that occurred due to weight loss.
Using effective birth control is important while using tirzepatide to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, and if you want to conceive, you should talk to your doctor and stop using tirzepatide for at least two months before attempting to conceive.
What Researchers Know about Tirzepatide and Pregnancy
Researchers know very little about how tirzepatide (the main ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro) might affect a developing baby. When Zepbound was being tested, researchers conducted animal studies in rats and rabbits that showed the drug could affect fetal growth and development. In these studies, medications in this same category were linked to lower fetal weight, delayed development, and changes in skeletal growth at certain doses. Animal studies cannot predict the effect a drug will have on a human or a pregnancy with 100% certainty, but they are one of the safest ways to spot serious issues before a medication goes to market.
Unfortunately, at this time, doctors and scientists do not have solid data from human pregnancies to draw conclusions from because it would be unethical and unsafe to run controlled studies where women use tirzepatide during pregnancy. Currently, researchers must rely on bits of information, such as animal reproduction studies and reports from pregnancy exposure registries, to help guide their recommendations.
Right now, we do not know enough about the risks for things like birth defects, miscarriage, or impaired fetal development, so the official medical guidance for Zepbound and pregnancy is to avoid using tirzepatide if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What Happens If I Accidentally Become Pregnant on Tirzepatide?
Unplanned pregnancies can happen, and they can surprise you when you least expect them. Losing weight can improve your fertility and make it easier for you to become pregnant. If this happens to you while using the tirzepatide drug like Zepbound or Mounjaro, the most important step is to stop the medication immediately and contact your weight loss doctor and your OB/GYN for guidance.
Your doctors will guide you through the next steps and help manage any ongoing health conditions safely. Obtaining prenatal care from the onset of your pregnancy can help ensure both you and your baby get what you need to stay healthy and lower the risk of any complications.
What Should I Do If I Become Pregnant While on Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)?
If you find out you are pregnant while using Mounjaro, your doctor will tell you to stop using it immediately, and they will also monitor your health and recommend safer options to help manage your blood sugar or your weight during your pregnancy.
Tirzepatide (the main ingredient in Mounjaro) stays in your system for several weeks after your last dose. If you become pregnant while the medication is still in your system, your doctor will help you enroll in a special registry that tracks tirzepatide exposure during pregnancy. Registries like these help researchers collect basic data from sources that remain anonymous so they can learn more about how these medications affect pregnancy and fetal development.
What Happens If You Take Tirzepatide While Pregnant?
One of the main ways that tirzepatide helps you lose weight is by suppressing your appetite. While this is a great help when you are trying to lose weight, it can be harmful during pregnancy. A growing baby needs a steady intake of calories obtained from the right kinds of nutritious foods. While you are on the medication, it will be a struggle to eat enough food to give your body and your baby enough protein, vitamins, minerals, and the nutrition needed to thrive.
Tirzepatide also causes some common side effects, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms can increase the risk of dehydration, especially if you are already experiencing morning sickness. The combination of dehydration and poor nutrition can increase your risk of developing complications during your pregnancy.
If tirzepatide was being used to control your blood sugar before you became pregnant, your doctor will help switch you to an option that is known to be safer and appropriate for use during pregnancy.
When Is It Safe to Restart Tirzepatide after Pregnancy?
Doctors recommend waiting until you are finished breastfeeding before restarting tirzepatide. It is not known whether tirzepatide passes into breast milk or how it might affect a growing baby.
Where Can I Get A Prescription for Tirzepatide?
If you want to learn more about tirzepatide and whether it would be a good choice for you, the experts at IBI SlimMed can help. Dr. Angelina and the IBI SlimMed team understand how complicated the weight loss process is and offer strategies and tools that deliver real results.
They can review your health history, talk with you about your weight loss goals, and create a plan that fits your life and targets your needs. Set up a consultation today to find out more!
