Mounjaro Warning: Weight-Loss Drug May Reduce Birth Control Pill Effectiveness

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK has issued a warning about the potential interaction between Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a weight-loss medication, and oral contraceptives. The MHRA's alert follows reports of women becoming pregnant while using Mounjaro. According to Dr. Sermed Mezher, a medical professional who discusses the alert in a recent video, the medication's delayed gastric emptying can affect how oral contraceptive pills are absorbed, reducing their effectiveness. "This is especially important during the first four weeks of treatment and for four weeks after any dose increases," Dr. Mezher explains in his video. The MHRA advises women using Mounjaro to use a non-oral method of contraception, such as an IUD or implant, to ensure adequate protection. This highlights the crucial need for open communication between patients and healthcare providers when starting any new medication.