GPs could bulk-warn patients about GLP-1 contraception interaction

GPs could bulk-warn patients about the risk of GLP-1 weight-loss drug injections potentially making their hormonal contraception less effective, it has been suggested.

Advice from the BMA set out ahead of the phased rollout of tirzepatide for weight loss for some patients on the NHS flagged that women wishing to start a GLPI-1 agonist for weight management should be advised about interactions with hormonal contraception. 

Practices may also wish to consider sending out a bulk text message to all women of childbearing age, ‘to highlight the importance of a medication review if they are started on GLP-1 analogues in the private sector’ and questions on this should also be part of HRT or contraception annual reviews, the BMA noted.

However, some GPs have warned this suggested action could place a fair amount of burden on practices.

Earlier this month, the MHRA warned that with many women purchasing the drugs online they may not be aware that they may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraception.

In particular, women taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro), should also use condoms if they are on oral contraception and the weight loss medicines must not be taken during pregnancy, the regulator warned.

It has been estimated that there are 1.5 million users of weight loss jabs in the UK, mostly through private providers.

Dr Adam Janjua, chief executive of Lancashire and Cumbria LMCs said: ‘It’s all well and good expecting GP practices to send out messages to be safe but when the practices have to foot the SMS text messaging bill from this year it isn’t cost effective way to run a business that is already being underfunded chronically.

‘NHSE are forcing practices to become “modern” practices and embrace digital technology only to ask them to foot the bill when the switch have been made.’

Dr Samuel Finnikin, a GP in Sutton Coldfield, said patient demand for weight-loss jabs was causing a lot of work, including having to discuss in the practice how they organise advice about contraception.

‘We code patients going onto Monujaro privately so we can, from now on, check whether they are on hormones or not and act accordingly, and we will check at medication reviews; but we are reliant on the Mounjaro prescribers to counsel women about this as well.’

GPs have also been urged to be vigilant for symptoms of acute pancreatitis in patients privately prescribed GLP-1 medication.