American OB-GYNs issue first guidelines for GLP-1 use during pregnancy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has released the first-ever clinical guidelines regarding the use of GLP-1 medications by pregnant and postpartum women. Due to a lack of sufficient data on the effects of these drugs on fetuses, the guidelines advise women to forgo GLP-1 use during pregnancy.

Medical professionals are encouraged to recommend that patients discontinue these medications one to two months before attempting to conceive. Regarding breastfeeding, the guidelines suggest that use might be acceptable after a baby’s first month, though they emphasize that the impact of GLP-1s on nutrient absorption and breast milk is currently unknown.

Dr. D. Yvette LaCoursiere, a lead author and professor at the University of California, San Diego, noted that because this is a fast-moving area of research, healthcare providers should proceed with caution and maintain open discussions with patients as more data becomes available.