The rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Muvanjaro has been nothing in need of meteoric. Originally developed to treat diabetes, these drugs are actually widely used for weight reduction and have develop into household names.
But alongside the dramatic changes within the headlines, there are also reports of suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of unwanted pregnancies after contraceptive failures.
So what are the risks? And what do you have to do for those who are taking these medications?
How do these drugs work?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs are drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by lowering blood sugar levels and suppressing appetite.
Five drugs on this category are approved to be used in Australia:
- Movanjaro (Trespitoid)
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Vigovi (semglutide)
- Saxenda (leraglutide)
- Trulicity (Dolglutide).
These drugs have been around Last decade But in recent times the recognition has increased with the assistance of Hollywood celebrities.
The commonest uncomfortable side effects of GLP-1 drugs are related Digestion: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain and constipation. These are mild and either go away over time or develop into more tolerable.
But more uncomfortable side effects have prompted the Australian Therapeutic Drug Administration (TGA). Issue a new warning this week Regarding suicidal thoughts and low effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
In the 12 months to November 2025, there have been 20 cases of suicidal ideation Australian database of adverse event reports which coincides with using GLP-1 drugs.
This is in line with published scientific data. a 2024 study A link between GLP-1 medication and a 106% increased risk of suicidal behavior was found.
Analysis of World Health Organization data A link was also found between semaglutide use and suicidal thoughts.
But not all evidence supports a link between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal thoughts.
A separate 2024 barrels analyzed data from greater than 1.8 million patients who were taking medications for weight reduction or diabetes. When in comparison with patients who weren't taking GLP-1 medication, there was a lower, not higher, risk of latest or recurrent suicidal thoughts.
How can these drugs affect contraception?
Oral contraceptives work through the use of hormones to stop the discharge of eggs from the ovaries and thicken the cervical mucus. This latter effect makes it difficult for the sperm to succeed in and fertilize the egg.
These effects are activated only when the pregnancy hormones are at sufficient levels. If GLP-1 drugs affect how the body absorbs the hormone in oral contraceptives, hormone levels may not reach high enough concentrations to stop pregnancy.
Researchers were the primary to boost the potential for GLP-1 drugs to affect oral contraceptives 2003.
The ability of GLP-1 drugs to affect oral contraceptives may vary between drugs. a Review He examined the connection between terzapeptide and oral contraceptives when this particular drug had a greater effect on hormone absorption than other GLP-1 drugs.
A study of semagtide published in 2015 It found that the drug didn't affect the quantity of the hormone that was absorbed into the body when patients got the commonly used oral contraceptive pills ethinylestradiol or levonorgestrel.
But in a recent study 2025 concluded that each terzapeptide and oral semaglutide are in a position to affect oral contraceptive hormone levels.
GLP-1 drugs mustn't affect the effectiveness of IUDs or other long-acting (implanted) contraceptives because they don't depend on hormones absorbed from the stomach.
I'm taking one in every of these medicines, what should I do?
The TGA advises that for those who are taking GLP-1 medicines, it's best to tell your doctor for those who experience latest or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or any unusual changes in mood or behaviour.
For women taking the GLP-1 drug tirzepatide and oral contraceptives, the TGA recommends either switching to a non-oral contraceptive (equivalent to an implant), or adding a barrier approach to contraception for 4 weeks after taking the primary GLP-1 drug, or while you increase the dose of tirzepatide.
A GLP-1 drug mustn't be used while pregnant, equivalent to this one Can affect the developing fetus. The antagonistic event database also reported cases of miscarriage in women who were currently taking semaglutide or tereseptide.