LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Reports of surprise pregnancies are raising new questions about weight loss drugs after multiple women have shared their stories of ‘Ozempic Babies’ on social media. Along with the joy many experience in discovering pregnancies, it can also come with anxiety about the unknown. “I think we’re seeing more patients taking these weight loss medications, especially women who are in this age range,” says Brooke Hudspeth, PharmD. “Child bearing women are taking more of these medications so I think there are multiple factors that should be considered.” Hudspeth is the Associate Dean of Pharmacy Practice at University of Kentucky’s College of Pharmacy. She is also a pharmacist and diabetes educator. Hudspeth says while these weight loss medications haven’t been studied in women who are pregnant, there are several factors that need to be considered. “I think we think about the way this medication works and how that could be a theoretical drug interaction with oral contraceptives that they’re taking,” explains Hudspeth. “It could be the fact that some of the risk factors for fertility are decreased when taking these medications such as overweight, obesity and that could also have an impact on some of these reports.” Hudspeth also recommends women who may become pregnant — or are planning to become pregnant — to follow their prescribing information. “If women are child bearing age and are planning to become pregnant, the recommendation is they should stop these medications two months before they become pregnant,” she says. Mounjaro and Zepbound have a warning in their prescribing information that they may render birth control pills less effective. Clinical trials show these medicines have been proven to help people lose 15 to 20% of their body weight on average, which oftentimes leads to improvement in ovulation. Hudspeth says, regardless of your situation, it’s always best to consult your doctor if you’re considering taking a new medication. “If women are planning to become pregnant or are on oral contraceptives and are also starting this medication or are on this medication: Wegovy, Ozempic, Semaglutide or any of these other weight loss medications, it’s always a good idea to talk to their health care provider and make sure their health care provider is aware of all of their therapies so that they can make that shared decision with their patient as far as what’s best for them.” Categories: Featured, Local News, News