Taking Ozempic While Breastfeeding
Ozempic is a medication originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes. However, many users discovered that it also offered benefits for weight loss, which led to many doctors prescribing the medication off-label for people looking to lose weight. Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying so you eat less, in turn lowering blood sugar levels and causing you to lose weight.
Because the medication is still relatively new, it leaves many questions on whether it’s safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. There is still more to learn about Ozempic’s potential impacts on breastfeeding, but currently many healthcare professionals advise against the medication, unless it will offer more significant benefits for your health than risks.
If you are thinking about taking Ozempic while breastfeeding, you should weigh several factors discussed below and have a discussion with your doctor about the pros and cons first.
Is Ozempic Safe While Breastfeeding?
With so little research surrounding the topic, it’s currently unknown whether it’s safe to take Ozempic while breastfeeding. Many healthcare professionals advise against taking Ozempic at the same time, in large part because there is so little information surrounding the benefits and risks, and it may not be safe.
Still, every situation is unique, so there may be some situations where a doctor may advise that the benefits outweigh the risks. Before deciding whether you should take Ozempic while breastfeeding, consider some of the following factors.
1. Consult Your Healthcare Provider
The first step in deciding whether you should consider taking Ozempic while breastfeeding is to consult your doctor. With an understanding of your medical history, your doctor will be able to give you relevant advice to your unique circumstances based on your individual health profile.
Using your information, your healthcare provider will perform a risk assessment to determine whether you may benefit from taking Ozempic and whether these benefits outweigh any potential risks to you or your baby.
2. Limited Research
Compared to other medications, Ozempic is still relatively new, so there is limited research surrounding its potential impacts on a newborn baby and breastfeeding. Some research has shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, can get into breast milk in small amounts in animals. However, these studies have not been conducted in humans.
Because of the limited research surrounding the safety of Ozempic while breastfeeding and a limited understanding of any potential impacts, some people may be more comfortable delaying an Ozempic treatment until they are no longer breastfeeding.
3. Infant Safety
As you consider taking Ozempic while breastfeeding, it should be a priority to consider the health and safety of the baby, not just the mother. Medications taken by a mother are typically passed onto the baby through breast milk.
That said, this transfer typically happens at low levels, so it is often not a risk to the baby, but every medication is different—some medications can end up being found in high levels in breast milk, so it’s not safe to make a general assumption.
Risks of passing on a medication to a baby in high amounts can affect your baby’s behavior and potentially lead to adverse reactions, like rashes. Although many medications are safe to continue while breastfeeding, there is too little research surrounding Ozempic and whether it may pass through breast milk to make any guaranteed claims.
4. Personal Health Factors
Whether you should take Ozempic while breastfeeding heavily relies on your unique health markers and circumstances. In some specific cases, the benefits of taking Ozempic for your health may outweigh any potential risks.
For example, if you have excessively high blood sugar, have type 2 diabetes, or live with obesity, then sometimes it may be more beneficial to take Ozempic for the health of you and your baby. Breastfeeding rates are lower in women living with obesity compared to those who are not, which may have an effect on the mother’s ability to deliver key nutrients to their baby.
Taking Ozempic can help you maintain a healthy weight and promote healthy blood sugar when no other options are available. On the other hand, if you have not tried alternative options, you may consider discussing a medication-free weight loss approach with your doctor.
Ditch Semaglutide for Healthier Weight Loss
Semaglutide-based medications like Ozempic come with questionable results and potential side effects. re:vitalize programs empower you for healthy and sustained weight loss without these medications.
5. Close Monitoring
If your doctor recommends that you do continue taking Ozempic while breastfeeding, it will be crucial that you maintain consistent close monitoring of your health throughout the process to ensure that your body is in the best position for healthy breastfeeding.
Consistently check your vitals, like your blood pressure and blood sugar to ensure that you’re in the best possible health for breastfeeding. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider will be a good idea to ensure optimal health for you and your baby.
6. Alternative Options
As the saying goes, sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry—with a limited understanding of the risks of Ozempic while breastfeeding, it may often be a safer bet to pursue an alternative approach that can bring the same benefits without the same potential risks.
Fortunately, taking Ozempic is far from the only approach to losing weight and lowering blood sugar. Other weight loss approaches, like making healthy lifestyle adjustments, will offer the potential for sustained weight loss along with the peace of mind of no adverse side effects.
7. Breastfeeding Support
As you begin your breastfeeding journey, you should consider seeking support from professionals who have specific expertise in lactation and breastfeeding, like lactation consultants. These professionals can provide additional assistance and advice tailored to your unique situation while helping you maximize your efforts to promote the health of your baby.
Talk to your healthcare provider to see whether they have any recommendations for professionals you can consult. You can also research lactation consultants online and read reviews to find a good fit.
Weight Loss Alternatives for Breastfeeding Mothers
Consider a more holistic, natural, and medication-free approach to weight loss. This approach focuses more on healthy habit formation for weight loss and sustained weight management, rather than a quick, and often temporary, medication fix.
For example, our Flexible Weight Loss Programs at re:vitalize weight loss and wellness promotes eating more healthy, nutrient-rich whole foods in your diet, helping you get the nutrients you need while preventing you from overindulging in the foods you don’t.
We’ll use our unique BioScan™ technology to identify which nutrients are optimal for your weight loss and wellness. Then, we’ll use that information to help you build a unique routine, including which foods to prioritize, which habits to incorporate, and what tools you can use in the process.
Our fully personalized programs also offer the following benefits:
- One-on-one coaching with our empathetic, expert coaches
- A personalized supplement protocol and guidance
- Personal accountability through regular check-ins with our board-certified health coaches
- A member-only support forum for additional advice and recommendations on your journey
The best part—no medications are necessary, providing you with peace of mind surrounding both breastfeeding and your weight loss efforts. After all, there are no side effects to healthy eating.
Explore Flexible Weight Loss Solutions
There is still a lot to learn about whether it’s a good idea to take Ozempic, which can make the decision of whether you should take Ozempic while breastfeeding a difficult one. If you are considering it, you should have a detailed conversation with your doctor, consult other experts, and weigh your potential risks.
However, one of the best ways to avoid any potential risks of taking Ozempic while breastfeeding is to choose an alternative approach altogether. At re:vitalize weight loss and wellness, our programs are catered to people in a variety of lifestyles and circumstances. Founded upon a focus on anti-inflammatory, nutritious whole foods, our programs promote both sustained weight loss and optimal health for you and your baby.
Schedule a consultation with our team at re:vitalize weight loss to learn more about your options and how we can help you achieve lasting weight loss without the risks of medication.
