Contraception and pregnancy
Only Mounjaro and Zepbound mention the pill. For women with obesity or overweight, Mounjaro’s suggests a barrier method or a switch for 4 weeks after starting and after each increase; Zepbound’s label, the same 4 weeks. Planning a baby? Wegovy and Ozempic say stop 2 months before; the NHS, 4 weeks for tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide and the pill
Mounjaro and Zepbound are tirzepatide. Each source in its own words.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Mounjaro | If you are a woman with obesity or overweight and are using oral contraceptives, you should consider also using a barrier method of contraception (e.g., a condom) or switching to a non-oral contraceptive method for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in dose.Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet |
| Zepbound | If you take birth control pills by mouth, your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start ZEPBOUND and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of ZEPBOUND.Zepbound prescribing information |
| NHS | It’s important to use an additional barrier contraception, such as condoms, a diaphragm or cap for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide, and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.NHS: Tirzepatide |
How the weeks add up
If a dose goes up every 4 weeks, the windows run into each other. In the picture, 2.5mg from week 1 and 5mg from week 5 cover weeks 1 to 8. They end 4 weeks after the last increase.
That’s counting on the leaflet’s wording, an example rather than your own dates. A pharmacist or your prescriber can tell you which method suits you.
Pregnancy
Each medicine’s words on when to stop before trying for a baby.
| Medicine | During pregnancy | Planning a baby |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro | This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as the effects of this medicine on an unborn child are not known.Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet | If you want to become pregnant, you should stop using tirzepatide at least 4 weeks before you start trying.NHS: Tirzepatide |
| Zepbound | ZEPBOUND may harm your unborn baby.Zepbound prescribing information | If you want to become pregnant, you should stop using tirzepatide at least 4 weeks before you start trying.NHS: Tirzepatide |
| Wegovy | This medicine should not be used during pregnancy, as it is not known if it may affect your unborn child.Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet | If you wish to become pregnant, you should stop using this medicine at least two months in advance.Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet |
| Ozempic | This medicine should not be used during pregnancy, as it is not known if it affects an unborn baby.Ozempic patient leaflet | If you wish to become pregnant, discuss how to change your treatment with your doctor as you should stop using this medicine at least 2 months in advance.Ozempic patient leaflet |
Also in the leaflets
While you use it
Mounjaro’s, Wegovy’s and Ozempic’s leaflets all recommend using contraception while you use them.
If you become pregnant
Wegovy’s and Ozempic’s leaflets say talk to your doctor straight away, as treatment will need to stop or change.
Breastfeeding
Wegovy and Ozempic say not to use them while breastfeeding; Mounjaro’s leaflet says talk to your doctor first.
Questions
Does semaglutide affect the pill?
Neither the Wegovy nor the Ozempic leaflet mentions the pill. Both recommend contraception while you use them, and the NHS says you’ll need it if there’s a chance you could get pregnant.
What if I don’t take the pill?
Mounjaro’s leaflet and Zepbound’s label tie the 4 weeks to the pill. The NHS tirzepatide page asks for additional barrier contraception for the same weeks without naming the pill. A pharmacist or your prescriber can say which applies to you.
Is it the same for Mounjaro and Zepbound?
Largely. Both give 4 weeks after starting and after each increase for the pill, but Mounjaro’s leaflet says it for women with obesity or overweight.
Dose changes
Jabwise remembers when each dose started.
Record a new strength and the day you started it, and My Dose History lists every change with its date, newest first. Useful when a leaflet counts weeks from a dose increase.
Sources
- Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet
- Zepbound prescribing information
- Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet
- Ozempic patient leaflet
- NHS: Tirzepatide
- NHS: Semaglutide
General information, not medical advice. Follow your prescriber’s guidance.
Getting real advice
We’re not doctors. This page sums up what the NHS and the official medicine information say, and can’t tell you what’s right for your body: your prescriber’s instructions and the leaflet in your box come first. More in our terms.
- Quoted from official sources, each one linked
- Sources checked 12 October 2026
- No dosing advice; your prescriber comes first
- A pharmacist, your doctor or NHS 111If you’re not sure how to use your medicine, or a side effect bothers you or won’t go away. NHS 111 if you think you might be having serious side effects, or you’ve used too much.NHS: SemaglutideNHS: TirzepatideNHS 111 online
- Report a side effectAnyone can, not only doctors.Yellow Card (UK)MedWatch (US)