Science to practice
Latest highlights on drug safety and efficacy

1.4.2025

Semaglutide (Ozempic) is a glugacon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, indicated for treatment of type 2 diabetes, and increasingly used for treating obesity. While little is known about its safety during breastfeeding, the large protein structure of semaglutide suggests that is unlikely to be excreted into breast milk in significant amounts, and the possible low amounts of semaglutide would be destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract prior to absorption.

Accordingly, semaglutide was not detected in breastmilk in a new study analysing milk samples from eight breastfeeding women who initiated semaglutide treatment (1). Infant development and growth were reported to be normal.

Semaglutide is unlikely to enter breast milk and was not detected in a recent study. However, rapid maternal weight loss may affect milk production and composition.

However, the authors raised concerns regarding maternal nutrient depletion due to rapid weight loss, which could potentially impact milk production and composition. The long-term effects on infants, particularly with early post-partum or chronic maternal use of higher doses of semaglutide, remain unknown.

For more comprehensive information, explore Gravbase and Lactbase, our specialised databases providing detailed insights on drug safety and efficacy during pregnancy and lactation.

News produced by Medbase Medical Team

References

1. Diab H, Fuquay T, Datta P, Bickel U, Thompson J, Krutsch K. Subcutaneous Semaglutide during Breastfeeding: Infant Safety Regarding Drug Transfer into Human Milk. Nutrients. 2024 Aug 28;16(17):2886.