Mounjaro is a brand-name subcutaneous injection prescribed for type 2 diabetes. It contains the active drug tirzepatide. Mounjaro may not be safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Keep reading for specific information about reproductive health and Mounjaro. For a comprehensive look at Mounjaro, see this Mounjaro article.
FDA warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
This drug has a boxed warning about the following risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
In animal studies, tirzepatide (the active drug in Mounjaro) was found to cause thyroid cancer. It’s not known whether Mounjaro might cause thyroid cancer, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans.
Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Mounjaro if you or a family member has had MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). MEN 2 is a genetic condition that may cause thyroid cancer.
For more information on this warning, talk with your doctor.
Show MoreIf you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Mounjaro is a safe choice for you.
Your doctor will likely recommend not using Mounjaro while you’re pregnant. This is because it’s not known whether Mounjaro is safe to use during pregnancy. The drug’s clinical trials did not include pregnant people.
Based on animal studies, tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) may cause harm to a fetus.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can recommend safe ways to help manage diabetes during this time.
Mounjaro and fertility
It’s not known whether Mounjaro affects fertility (the biological ability to conceive).
In animal studies, tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) didn’t affect male animals given the drug. Some female animals given tirzepatide had signs of reduced fertility. These signs were thought to be related to the females’ reduced food intake and body weight.
Keep in mind that animal studies do not always reflect how drugs affect humans.
If you have questions about Mounjaro and your fertility, talk with your doctor.
If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to consider how Mounjaro may affect you and your child.
Your doctor will likely recommend not using Mounjaro while breastfeeding. It’s not known whether the drug is safe to use during this time. Researchers have not yet studied Mounjaro’s effects on breast milk.
If you’re breastfeeding or considering it, talk with your doctor before starting Mounjaro treatment. They can recommend safe ways to help manage diabetes while breastfeeding.
What if I get pregnant on Mounjaro?
If you become pregnant while you’re using Mounjaro, contact your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend stopping Mounjaro and switching to a different diabetes treatment plan. Your doctor will only have you continue Mounjaro while you’re pregnant if the possible benefits of the drug outweigh the risks.
Your doctor may prescribe insulin for you to take during pregnancy instead of Mounjaro. Insulin is considered safe and effective for managing diabetes during pregnancy. Other options may include metformin (Glucophage) and glyburide (Diabeta). In addition, your doctor might recommend adjusting your diet or exercise level while you’re pregnant.
It’s important to manage diabetes well during pregnancy to keep your blood sugar levels within a typical range.
Can I take Mounjaro while trying to get pregnant? How long before pregnancy should I stop taking Mounjaro?
Doctors typically recommend stopping Mounjaro at least 2 months before becoming pregnant. This is because it can take about 6 weeks for the drug to leave your system after your last dose, or longer if you have kidney problems.
If you start trying to conceive, let your doctor know. They may have you stop Mounjaro either when you start trying to conceive, or when a pregnancy test confirms you are pregnant.
If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend switching to insulin treatment if you stop taking Mounjaro.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations, and don’t stop using Mounjaro unless they instruct you to.
What is Mounjaro’s pregnancy category?
At this time, the FDA has not yet assigned Mounjaro to a pregnancy category. More data is needed to determine which category best describes Mounjaro.
If you can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Mounjaro treatment. It’s not known whether Mounjaro is safe to use during pregnancy.
It’s important to note that Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills during the first 4 weeks of Mounjaro treatment and for 4 weeks after each dose increase. During these times, your doctor will likely recommend either:
You may be able to switch back to your birth control pill 4 weeks after a dose increase. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Besides learning about how Mounjaro may affect your reproductive health, you may want other information about Mounjaro. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Mounjaro: For information about other aspects of Mounjaro, refer to this overview article.
- Side effects: To learn more see this side effects article. You can also look at the Mounjaro prescribing information.
- Cost: If you’d like to learn about prices of Mounjaro, see this cost article.
- Interactions: For more details, see this interactions article.
- Drug comparisons: You can learn how Mounjaro compares with other drugs in these Wegovy vs. Mounjaro and Ozempic vs. Mounjaro articles.
- Dosage: For information about Mounjaro’s dosage, see this Mounjaro dosage guide.
- Details about type 2 diabetes: For details about type 2 diabetes, see our diabetes hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
