3<\/p>\n Now, experts warn that even weight loss<\/a> jabs like Wegovy<\/a> and Ozempic<\/a> could interfere with how well the pill works.<\/p>\n Today, drug regulators cautioned that these popular treatments might reduce the pill\u2019s effectiveness, especially in women who are overweight or obese<\/a>.<\/p>\n This happens because common side effects of the jabs<\/a>, like vomiting and diarrhoea, can stop the pill from being properly absorbed. <\/p>\n The medicines also slow down how quickly the stomach empties, which can affect absorption.<\/p>\n The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which issued the warning, says women should continue using contraception while taking GLP-1 medicines.<\/p>\n They also advise waiting before trying for a baby, two months after stopping Wegovy or Ozempic, and one month after stopping Mounjaro<\/a>, also called the King-Kong jab for how effective it is. <\/p>\n For women on the blockbuster jab who take the pill, it\u2019s recommended to use condoms for the first four weeks, or switch to a more reliable method like the coil<\/a> or implant<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, what other drugs could have the same effect?<\/strong><\/p>\n Antibiotics<\/strong><\/p>\n Most antibiotics<\/a> don\u2019t affect the pill, but rifampin, used to treat tuberculosis, is a known exception.<\/p>\n Fertility Apps Impact: A Candid Look into Gen Z Contraception<\/p>\n It speeds up how your body breaks down contraceptive hormones, making the pill less effective.<\/p>\n The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises using backup contraception while taking rifampin and for 28 days afterward.<\/p>\n Epilepsy and seizure medications<\/strong><\/p>\n Some anti-seizure drugs<\/a> like carbamazepine and phenytoin also interfere with the pill.<\/p>\n Like rifampin, they speed up hormone metabolism, meaning the pill may not work as well.<\/p>\n The Epilepsy Foundation<\/a> warns that these medications can reduce the reliability of hormonal contraception.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Some drugs can stop the pill working properlyCredit: GettyAntifungals<\/strong><\/p>\n Some antifungal<\/a> drugs, such as griseofulvin and ketoconazole, are suspected to interfere with the pill.<\/p>\n Griseofulvin is used to treat skin infections like athlete\u2019s foot<\/a> and jock itch<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ketoconazole is generally used when other antifungals haven\u2019t worked.<\/p>\n The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) says there\u2019s not much solid proof that these drugs reduce the pill\u2019s effectiveness in real life.<\/p>\n However, the British National Formulary (BNF), which provides medics with drug advice, recommends using extra contraception during treatment and for one month afterwards, just to be safe.<\/p>\n Anti HIV medications<\/strong><\/p>\n Certain HIV<\/a> drugs drugs can affect the pill too.<\/p>\n The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) says some of these \u201cmay reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.\u201d<\/p>\n This includes treatments like darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), lopinavir\/ritonavir (Kaletra), and nevirapine (Viramune).<\/p>\n They advise using condoms or switching to a non-hormonal method if you\u2019re on one of these medications.<\/p>\n Stop the injections if you’re pregnant<\/p>\n DR Zoe Williams<\/a>\u00a0is The Sun\u2019s resident GP.<\/p>\n Q: What if I am pregnant and taking fat jabs?<\/strong><\/p>\n The fact these drugs suppress appetite means the majority of women who got pregnant on them will have come off, because they are nourishing their baby.<\/p>\n The advice is to come off them immediately if you\u2019re either pregnant or breastfeeding and speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.<\/p>\n Q: Why has this advice been issued now?<\/strong><\/p>\n It is because not enough is known about the effect on pregnancy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not from studies that found any adverse effects.<\/p>\n As a result, the advice is preventative until more is known.<\/p>\n If women are on any weight loss jabs and want a baby, the advice is to come off it at least two months before trying.<\/p>\n Q: Are fat jabs going to be the \u2018new thalidomide\u2019 scandal?<\/strong><\/p>\n No, the GLP-1 drugs are peptides that work by mimicking existing proteins in our bodies. In contrast, thalidomide is a drug that can affect blood vessel growth.<\/p>\n It is not likely that the jabs would cause such significant birth defects, as seen with thalidomide.<\/p>\n So far there has been no evidence of danger to the baby, despite many women getting pregnant on them.<\/p>\n Q: I\u2019m worried and don\u2019t know what to do?<\/strong><\/p>\n When news like this breaks, it is common to have patients get in touch with concerns.<\/p>\n Stop taking the medication.<\/p>\n But be reassured, there is nothing your GP or midwife will need to do urgently.<\/p>\n If they are really concerned, they will get in touch.<\/p>\n Modafinil <\/strong><\/p>\n Modafinil<\/a>, used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy and sleep apnea,<\/a> can also mess with the pill.<\/p>\n It speeds up how your body processes hormones, which might make the pill less effective.<\/p>\n The British National Formulary (BNF) suggests playing it safe by using extra contraception, like condoms<\/a>, while on modafinil and for two months after stopping.<\/p>\n Herbal remedies<\/strong><\/p>\n St John\u2019s Wort is a common herbal remedy for mild to moderate depression<\/a>, but if you take it, be aware it can reduce the effectiveness of the pill.<\/p>\n Like many of the other drugs listed here, it increases how quickly contraceptive hormones are broken down in the body.<\/p>\n The MHRA warns that St John\u2019s Wort can interfere with hormonal contraceptives, so it\u2019s best to use a backup method like condoms while taking it.<\/p>\n![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/DD-05-06-fat-jab_GRAPHIC-1.jpg\")
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