By Maria Ruiz, RDN · Registered Dietitian Nutritionist · May 20, 2026
GLP-1 Drugs and Pregnancy: What the FDA Labels Say (2026)
If you take Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or Mounjaro and are thinking about getting pregnant, you need to know one thing before anything else: all four drugs are labeled "not recommended during pregnancy." That language comes directly from the FDA prescribing information for each drug, written by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
The prescribing information for both semaglutide drugs (Wegovy, Ozempic) and both tirzepatide drugs (Zepbound, Mounjaro) advises stopping the drug at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. That window is not an arbitrary number. It comes from the pharmacokinetics of each drug, which have half-lives of roughly 1 to 2 weeks, meaning the drug stays active in your body for several weeks after the last dose.
This page summarizes what the FDA labels actually say about GLP-1 use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It does not give personal medical advice. Every decision about medication during pregnancy belongs with your OB and your prescriber.
If you are already pregnant and were taking a GLP-1, stop the drug and call your OB. The rest of this page gives context for that conversation.
The short answer:
- • All four GLP-1 drugs are labeled "not recommended in pregnancy"
- • Stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy
- • Animal studies showed fetal harm at human-comparable doses
- • Human data is limited (pregnant women were excluded from trials)
- • If pregnant now: stop the drug and call your OB right away
What the FDA Labels Say
| Drug | Manufacturer | FDA Pregnancy Guidance | Stop Before Pregnancy | Breastfeeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | Novo Nordisk | Not recommended (Category D equivalent in data) | At least 2 months before planned pregnancy | Not recommended (unknown if excreted in milk) |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | Novo Nordisk | Not recommended | At least 2 months before planned pregnancy | Not recommended |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | Eli Lilly | Not recommended | At least 2 months before planned pregnancy | Not recommended |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Eli Lilly | Not recommended | At least 2 months before planned pregnancy | Not recommended |
Source: FDA prescribing information for Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro (accessed 2026).
Why 2 Months?
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide have long half-lives (roughly 1 to 2 weeks). Stopping 2 months before conception allows the drug to clear from the body before a pregnancy begins. The 2-month window comes directly from the prescribing information language, not from a separate clinical guideline. If you are planning to conceive, bring this up with your prescriber early so you have time to stop the drug on schedule and, if needed, switch to a pregnancy-compatible diabetes medication.
What Does the Animal Data Show?
Animal reproduction studies with semaglutide and tirzepatide showed fetal harm at doses similar to or lower than human doses. These findings are the primary reason the FDA labels carry a "not recommended" designation. Human data is limited because pregnant women were excluded from all GLP-1 clinical trials. The drug labels acknowledge this gap. That limitation cuts both ways: it means we do not have proof of harm in humans, but we also do not have proof of safety.
What If I Got Pregnant While on a GLP-1?
Stop the drug and call your OB right away. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly both have pregnancy registries to track outcomes. The Novo Nordisk registry number is 1-800-727-6500. The Eli Lilly registry number is 1-800-545-5979. Your OB will assess the situation and set up appropriate prenatal monitoring. Most documented accidental exposures in early pregnancy have not shown a clear pattern of harm in the limited human data available, but the standard of care is to discontinue the drug as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.
Does Stopping a GLP-1 Affect Blood Sugar in T2D Patients?
For people managing type 2 diabetes, stopping a GLP-1 will raise blood sugar. Your prescriber needs to have a diabetes management plan in place before you conceive. Do not stop without discussing alternative diabetes medications with your care team first.
What About Compounded GLP-1 or Off-Label Semaglutide?
The same "not recommended in pregnancy" designation applies. Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved for any use. It carries the same class risk as the branded versions. If you are on a compounded GLP-1 and become pregnant or are planning to, the guidance is the same: stop the drug and work with your OB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Wegovy or Ozempic while pregnant?
No. The FDA label for both Wegovy and Ozempic states the drug is not recommended during pregnancy. Animal studies showed fetal harm. Stop the drug at least 2 months before you plan to conceive, or stop right away if you are pregnant, and tell your OB.
How long before pregnancy should I stop a GLP-1?
Both the Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly prescribing information recommend stopping at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. The long half-life of semaglutide (about 1 week) and tirzepatide (about 5 days) means the drug is still active for several weeks after the last dose.
What happens if I get pregnant while on Ozempic or Wegovy?
Stop the drug and call your OB or prescriber right away. Both Novo Nordisk (1-800-727-6500) and Eli Lilly (1-800-545-5979) have pregnancy registries. They want to track outcomes. Your doctor will monitor you and adjust your care plan.
Is it safe to breastfeed on a GLP-1?
The FDA labels for all four drugs say breastfeeding is not recommended. It is not known whether semaglutide or tirzepatide pass into human milk, or if they would harm a nursing infant. Until human data shows safety, the standard recommendation is to avoid the drug during breastfeeding.
Can I take metformin instead of a GLP-1 during pregnancy?
Metformin is used off-label during pregnancy for gestational diabetes and PCOS, and has more human safety data than GLP-1 drugs. That is a conversation to have with your OB and prescriber, not something this page can advise on. Medication decisions during pregnancy require direct medical supervision.
Did pregnant women participate in the Wegovy or Ozempic clinical trials?
No. Pregnant women were excluded from all GLP-1 clinical trials. The human data is limited to case reports and the pregnancy registries that Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly maintain. Animal studies showed fetal harm at doses comparable to human doses.
Is there a safe GLP-1 drug for use in pregnancy?
As of 2026, no GLP-1 receptor agonist has an FDA approval or safety classification that recommends use in pregnancy. The entire drug class carries a "not recommended" label for pregnancy. Some SGLT2 inhibitors and other diabetes drugs have more pregnancy data, but that is a conversation for your diabetes care team.
If I was not trying to get pregnant and had accidental exposure, should I panic?
Call your OB and stop the drug. The limited case data and registry data for accidental early-pregnancy exposures has not established a clear pattern of harm, but the standard of care is to stop the drug, report to the manufacturer's registry, and let your OB guide your prenatal monitoring. Early exposure in the first trimester before a positive test is the most common scenario in the registries.
Sources
- FDA. Wegovy (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. Novo Nordisk.
- FDA. Ozempic (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. Novo Nordisk.
- FDA. Zepbound (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information. Eli Lilly.
- FDA. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information. Eli Lilly.
- Novo Nordisk. Pregnancy Exposure Registry: 1-800-727-6500.
- Eli Lilly. Pregnancy Exposure Registry: 1-800-545-5979.