Semaglutide (e.g. Ozempic®)

Last Update: 06 Aug 2026

Table of content

1. What Is It? 2. Risks 3. Benefits 4. Lactation 5. Key Takeaways 6. Research limits

Welcome to our Fact Sheet on semaglutide during pregnancy and lactation. The information given is based on current research and may be updated with new scientific knowledge. This information does not replace personalized advice from healthcare professionals.

1. What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and help with weight management. It belongs to a group of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. This medication works like a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1, which helps the body release insulin when needed. Semaglutide can help lower blood sugar, slow down digestion, and reduce hunger and food cravings, which might support weight loss for some people.

Semaglutide is available under three brand names:

Ozempic® (injection)
Rybelsus® (tablet taken by mouth)
Wegovy® (injection)

In Canada, Ozempic® and Rybelsus® are approved to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy® is approved for chronic weight management. However, healthcare providers may prescribe (off-label) any of these products for weight management when appropriate.

Can I take semaglutide during pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, including semaglutide.

Semaglutide is usually not recommended during pregnancy because we do not yet have enough information about its safety, and losing weight during pregnancy is not recommended. In fact, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommends stopping semaglutide at least 2 months before becoming pregnant.

Do not stop semaglutide on your own. Always speak with your healthcare provider first, as stopping treatment may lead to significant weight regain during pregnancy. They can help you decide on the most adapted treatment plan for you and your pregnancy.

2. What are the risks of semaglutide during pregnancy?

Semaglutide is a relatively new medication. Much of the safety information available comes from animal studies. In humans, many studies have looked at GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as a group, but fewer have examined semaglutide specifically. This factsheet focuses on research on semaglutide. Information from studies of other GLP-1 RAs may also be helpful and can be discussed with your healthcare provider to understand how it may apply to your situation.

Based on animal studies and how semaglutide works, a potential risk during pregnancy cannot be ruled out. However, current human studies have not found clear evidence that semaglutide increases the chance of pregnancy complications or birth defects.

Understanding risks during pregnancy

Every pregnancy has a chance of complications, even when no medications are used. Complications like miscarriage (loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks), congenital malformations (birth defects present at birth), or preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) can happen in any pregnancy, for many reasons. When researchers study the safety of semaglutide during pregnancy, they look if these risks change when people are taking the medication.

So far, research has found:

High doses of semaglutide caused pregnancy and developmental problems in some animal studies. At the moment, similar results have not been found in humans.
Human studies of semaglutide have not found an increased chance of birth defects.
There is no information about the effects of semaglutide on a child’s learning, behaviour, or long-term health.

The table 1 summarises what research has found so far. But one or two studies is not enough to confirm a risk. Many other factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, and health conditions can also play a role. If you have any concerns, talk to your healthcare professional who will help you make the best decision for you and your baby.

Table 1. Possible risks associated with taking semaglutide during pregnancy.

Who?	What?	What does research say?
Pregnant person	Fertility (ability to get pregnant)	Some changes in the reproductive cycle were seen in female animals. These changes may be related to weight loss caused by the semaglutide. More research is needed.
Pregnant person	Miscarriages	Current studies of semaglutide have mixed results on the increased chance of miscarriage. More research is needed.
Unborn child	Congenital Malformations	Animal studies found developmental problems when high doses of semaglutide were used. Human studies of semaglutide have not found an increased chance of birth defects. More research is needed.
	Growth	There is not enough research to know whether semaglutide affects fetal growth. More studies are needed to better understand if there’s a risk.
	Premature Birth	There is not enough research to know whether semaglutide affects the chance of premature birth. More studies are needed to better understand if there’s a risk.
Child later in life	Brain development	There is not enough research to know whether semaglutide affects learning, behaviour, or brain development. More research is needed.
Child later in life	Long-term health issues	There is not enough research to know whether semaglutide affects health later in life.
Fathers and sperm donors	Male’s fertility and pregnancy complications	Animal studies have not shown that semaglutide affects male fertility. More research in humans is needed.

3. Asides from the risks, what are the benefits of semaglutide?

Semaglutide is not recommended in pregnancy, but it remains important to manage the condition it was treating. Treatment should be adapted before pregnancy. If you find out you’re pregnant while taking semaglutide, talk with your healthcare professional as soon as possible to adjust your treatment based on your individual needs.

Good control of blood sugar and weight can be important during pregnancy, especially for people with type 2 diabetes or obesity. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes or obesity during pregnancy can increase the chance of complications, such as:

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including high blood pressure and preeclampsia
Caesarean birth
Having a baby with a high birth weight
Low blood sugar in the baby after birth
Managing type 2 diabetes and obesity may help reduce the chance of these complications. However, there are other medications, such as insulin, that are preferred during pregnancy. Always talk to your healthcare provider; they can help you weigh the possible benefits and risks of semaglutide based on your personal situation and help you find an alternative if needed.

4. Can semaglutide affect breastfeeding or milk supply (lactation)?

There is limited information about semaglutide and breast/chest feeding. If you are taking semaglutide and would like to breast/chest, talk to your healthcare professionals. They can help you evaluate the risks and benefits based on your situation.

In animal studies, semaglutide was found in milk. However, animal studies do not always predict what happens in humans. A small human study found that injectable semaglutide, such as Ozempic® and Wegovy®, was not detected in human milk. However, oral semaglutide, sold as Rybelsus®, contains an ingredient called salcaprozate sodium, which may pass into human milk. The safety of this ingredient is still unknown which is also why injectable product tend to be preferred during lactation.

At this time, there is not enough research to know whether semaglutide affects milk production or whether it could affect a nursed baby. If semaglutide is taken while producing milk for the baby, your healthcare provider might monitor the baby for symptoms. Your healthcare provider may suggest another medication, especially if your baby is a newborn, was born premature, or has health concerns.

If you have questions or worries, your healthcare team (midwife, nurse, doctor, nurse, pharmacist, lactation consultant) can help you the best option for your situation whether it is to feed your baby with human milk or with infant formula. Feeding support and resources are also available in your province or territory. All together, they can help you explore your options without judgment and support you in feeding your baby.

Key Takeaways

Semaglutide is a medication from a group called GLP-1 receptor agonists used to manage type 2 diabetes and for weight management.
Semaglutide is available as an injection, such as Ozempic® and Wegovy®, and as a tablet, called Rybelsus®.
Semaglutide is usually not recommended during pregnancy. It should be stopped at least 2 months before pregnancy, when possible.
Current human studies have not found a higher chance of birth defects or no clear effect on early pregnancy loss with semaglutide. More research is needed.
There is limited information about semaglutide, human milk, and its impact on nursed babies. Injectable semaglutide was not detected in human milk in one small study, but more research is needed.
Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping a medication during pregnancy or lactation.

6. Research is still evolving

Making informed health decisions during pregnancy also means understanding what research can and cannot tell us. Research on semaglutide has taught us some things. However, important gaps remain in our understanding of semaglutide during pregnancy. Here are some reasons why the research has limits:

Few human studies: Most of the information on semaglutide comes from animal studies or small human studies. Many human studies examine GLP-1 receptor agonists as a group, rather than semaglutide alone. This makes it hard to know exactly how semaglutide affects pregnancy.
No direct testing in pregnant people: Semaglutide is usually stopped before pregnancy. Because of this, researchers often study people who took semaglutide before they knew they were pregnant. These studies can be helpful, but they cannot prove exactly what caused an outcome.
Different doses, forms, and reasons for use: Semaglutide can be used for type 2 diabetes or weight management. It can also be taken as an injection or as a tablet. Different doses, forms, and health conditions can make it harder to know whether an outcome is related to semaglutide or to the condition being treated.
Not enough long-term research: There is very little information on whether semaglutide could affect a child’s learning, behaviour, or health later in life.
Other health factors: People taking semaglutide may also have other health conditions or take other medications. These factors can affect pregnancy outcomes and study results.

Overall, more research is needed to better understand the safety of semaglutide during pregnancy.

References

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Semaglutide. [Updated 2026 May 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500980/
Semaglutide. In: In Depth Answers [database on the Internet], Greenwood Village (CO): IBM Corporation; 2024 [cited June 2026]. Available from: www.micromedexsolutions.com. Subscription required to view.
Lee I, et al. Outcomes of Maternal Periconceptional Exposure to Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: A Scoping Review of Evidence and Reporting Trends. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2025; 48
Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. [Updated 2024 Feb 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603723/
Product Information: RYBELSUS(R) oral tablets, semaglutide oral tablets. Novo Nordisk Inc (per FDA), Plainsboro, NJ, 2023.
Product Information: OZEMPIC(R) subcutaneous injection, semaglutide subcutaneous injection. Novo Nordisk Inc (per FDA), Plainsboro, NJ, 2025. Available from: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00084255.PDF
Skov K, Mandic IN, Nyborg KM. Semaglutide and pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Nov;163(2):699-700. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.15092. Epub 2023 Sep 8. PMID: 37688299.
Yu Y, Li X, Groth SW, Zaman A, Chao AM, Phelan S, Hollenbach SJ, Dreisbach C. Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes After Semaglutide Exposure. Obstet Gynecol. 2026 Aug 1;148(2):229-237. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006325. Epub 2026 May 28. PMID: 42208070.
Mandal L, Andersen LU, Luef BM, Tanvig MH, Vinter CA. Impact of semaglutide exposure on fetal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women: a systematic review. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2026 Feb;317:114836. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114836. Epub 2025 Nov 21. PMID: 41313865.

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