Study shows semaglutide use while breastfeeding is ‘unlikely to pose significant risks’

Talk about semaglutide—the drug better known by brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus—is everywhere these days. But if you’re considering getting pregnant or want to use the med post-pregnancy, you might be wondering if it’s safe to use while breastfeeding.

According to a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers at Texas Tech University assessed the presence of semaglutide in breast milk, testing samples from eight breastfeeding women collected at three intervals after subcutaneous semaglutide administration: immediately, 12 hours later, and 24 hours later. The drug amount found in each sample was so low that researchers call the direct risk to breastfed infants “negligible.”

Although it’s worth noting that this study has limitations—namely, such a small sample size—it could prove to be promising for patients who would like to begin or resume semaglutide use after giving birth. Participants were of mixed racial demographics and at various stages of breastfeeding, with half of the participants being one or two years postpartum, and three at least six months postpartum.

Researchers note that further studies would help more definitively determine overall safety for breastfeeding patients and their babies, which aligns with the overall consensus over semaglutide and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which are not currently advised for use during pregnancy or while nursing. Since these medications are relatively new, studies are limited so far, which is why doctors cease use upon determining pregnancy.

As for how these meds work, they mimic GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone made in the small intestine that lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood and slows stomach emptying, helping send the signal to your brain that keeps you feeling full and satiated longer after eating. For patients who benefit from GLP-1 agonists, they might experience weight loss as a result of balanced insulin levels, as the body more adequately uses food for energy. But it’s still unclear if there is a link between semaglutide use and milk production and/or the nutrient content of breast milk, so hopefully more research will determine any impacts on infant growth and development.

If you are currently breastfeeding (or will be soon), talking to your doctor is the best course of action, as they can help you navigate diabetes or other related health conditions. Given how buzzy these meds have become, there’s sure to be more concrete info on short- and long-term effects as time passes.