The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has updated product warnings for GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists for two separate safety issues.
The medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes and/or obesity, and involve:
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Wegovy (semaglutide)
- Saxenda (liraglutide)
- Trulicity (dulaglutide)
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
The first warning relates to the potential risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours, with patients taking any of these medicines advised to tell their health professionals if they experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or any unusual changes in mood or behaviour.
The second warning applies only to Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and relates to the risk of reduced effectiveness of oral contraception.
Patients are warned to use a non-oral form of contraception or add a barrier method of contraception for four weeks after first taking the medicine and for four weeks after each increase in the dose.
The TGA added that none of these drugs should be used during pregnancy and individuals of childbearing potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment with a GLP-1 RA.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.
