Can you take birth control with Zepbound?

Zepbound can potentially make birth control pills less effective.

One of the ways Zepbound works is by slowing the passage of food out of your stomach. But this may also prevent your body from fully absorbing birth control pills. This could lead to an unintended pregnancy or the worsening of a condition that birth control is treating.

Using nonoral birth control or a barrier method

It’s recommended to switch to a nonoral birth control method for the first 4 weeks of using Zepbound — and the 4 weeks after a dosage increase. You may also consider using a barrier method of birth control, such as condoms, during this time. Your prescriber can help you decide which contraceptive options are best for you.

Talk with your prescriber

Discuss your family planning goals with your Zepbound prescriber. It’s not recommended to use the medication during pregnancy because animal studies suggest it could harm a fetus. Your prescriber can tell you how long you need to wait between using Zepbound and trying to conceive. If you become pregnant while using Zepbound, tell your healthcare team right away.