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FAQ10 min read

Are Peptides Safe for Pregnant Women?

Pregnancy changes everything about how you evaluate what goes into or onto your body. Medications you've taken for years suddenly require reconsideration. Skincare products get a second look.

Pregnancy changes everything about how you evaluate what goes into or onto your body. Medications you've taken for years suddenly require reconsideration. Skincare products get a second look. And if you've been using peptides — whether a GLP-1 drug for weight management, a research peptide for healing, or a copper peptide serum for your skin — you need clear answers about what's safe and what isn't.

The general principle is straightforward: most therapeutic peptides have not been studied in pregnant women, and the default medical advice is to avoid them during pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. But the details vary enormously depending on which peptide, what route of administration, and what the alternative would be.

Here's a thorough, category-by-category breakdown.

Table of Contents

The General Principle: Lack of Data Means Caution

Pregnant women are excluded from virtually all clinical trials. This is an ethical requirement — you can't expose a developing fetus to an experimental drug to see what happens. The result is a massive data gap: for most peptides, we simply don't know whether they're safe during pregnancy because no one has studied it.

In medicine, "not studied" defaults to "not recommended." This doesn't mean a peptide is definitely harmful. It means the risk is unknown, and with a developing fetus, unknown risk is treated as unacceptable risk unless the medication is essential.

The FDA categorized drugs during pregnancy using letter grades (A, B, C, D, X) until 2015, when it switched to the Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR), which provides narrative descriptions of risk rather than simple categories. Most peptides that carry pregnancy labeling fall into the "insufficient human data; animal studies show risk" or "no data available" categories.

GLP-1 Drugs: Contraindicated in Pregnancy

This is the most clear-cut category. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), and all other GLP-1 receptor agonists are contraindicated in pregnancy.

Why:

  • Animal reproduction studies showed embryo-fetal toxicity. In rats and rabbits, semaglutide caused skeletal abnormalities, reduced fetal weight, and increased pregnancy loss at clinically relevant exposures.
  • Tirzepatide showed similar findings — reduced fetal weight and skeletal variations in animals.
  • There are no adequate human studies, and the animal data is concerning enough that manufacturers and the FDA recommend against use during pregnancy.

The practical concern — unintended pregnancy: GLP-1 drugs can restore ovulation in women who were previously anovulatory due to obesity or PCOS. This has led to unintended pregnancies — sometimes called "Ozempic babies" in popular media. If you're taking a GLP-1 drug and are of reproductive age, effective contraception is strongly recommended.

When to stop: Novo Nordisk recommends discontinuing semaglutide at least 2 months before planned pregnancy. Eli Lilly recommends stopping tirzepatide at least 2 months before conception. The extended half-life of these drugs (about 5-7 days for semaglutide, 5 days for tirzepatide) means they persist in the body for weeks after the last dose.

If you become pregnant while on a GLP-1 drug: Stop the medication immediately and contact your OB/GYN. While animal data shows risk, the actual human risk is not well-characterized. Many women have had healthy pregnancies after GLP-1 exposure early in pregnancy before realizing they were pregnant. Your doctor can provide individualized guidance.

For more on GLP-1 medications, see how GLP-1 medications work.

Growth hormone secretagogues — CJC-1295, ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, sermorelin, and MK-677 — are not recommended during pregnancy. None have been studied in pregnant women.

Why there's concern:

  • These peptides alter growth hormone and IGF-1 levels. Both GH and IGF-1 play roles in fetal development, and artificially manipulating them could theoretically affect fetal growth.
  • Growth hormone itself changes naturally during pregnancy — the placenta produces its own variant of GH (placental GH). Adding exogenous GH stimulation could disrupt this finely tuned system.
  • Animal reproduction studies are either absent or insufficient for most growth hormone secretagogues.

Tesamorelin is the one GH peptide with specific pregnancy labeling: it's Category X (contraindicated in pregnancy) per older FDA classification. Animal studies showed increased fetal loss.

BPC-157 and Other Research Peptides: No Human Data

BPC-157, TB-500 (thymosin beta-4), epitalon, MOTS-c, selank, semax, and other research peptides have essentially no human safety data in any population — let alone pregnant women.

The situation:

  • No human clinical trials for most of these compounds
  • No reproductive toxicology studies in animals for many
  • Unknown placental transfer (whether the peptide crosses from mother to fetus)
  • Unknown effects on fetal development

BPC-157 specifically: While BPC-157 has a clean safety profile in animal studies, these studies did not include pregnant animals in a systematic reproductive toxicology framework. Its effects on angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) are theoretically concerning during pregnancy, when placental blood vessel development is a delicate process.

The recommendation: All research peptides should be discontinued before conception and avoided throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. This isn't based on evidence of harm — it's based on the complete absence of evidence of safety. With a developing fetus, that's the appropriate standard.

Topical Skincare Peptides: Generally Considered Low Risk

This is the one area where the risk assessment is more reassuring.

Topical skincare peptides — Matrixyl, Argireline, GHK-Cu in serums, palmitoyl peptides, SYN-AKE, and similar — are generally considered low risk during pregnancy for several reasons:

  1. Minimal systemic absorption. As discussed in the peptide skin penetration article, topical peptides have limited absorption through the skin barrier. The amount reaching the bloodstream is negligible.

  2. Cosmetic concentrations. Skincare products contain peptides at cosmetic concentrations (typically 0.001-1%), far below any pharmacological dose.

  3. No concerning mechanism. Topical peptides that stimulate collagen or mildly modulate muscle contraction at the skin surface have no plausible mechanism for affecting fetal development.

  4. Regulatory classification. Cosmetic peptides are classified as cosmetic ingredients, not drugs, and are not subject to pregnancy contraindication labeling.

However:

  • No formal pregnancy safety studies exist for cosmetic peptides either
  • The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) evaluates cosmetic ingredients for general safety but does not specifically study pregnancy effects
  • Individual sensitivity may vary during pregnancy due to hormonal changes affecting skin

What most dermatologists recommend: Most dermatologists consider standard peptide skincare products safe to continue during pregnancy. They're far less concerning than retinoids (which are contraindicated), salicylic acid (limited use recommended), or hydroquinone (generally avoided). If you want maximum caution, you can pause peptide skincare during the first trimester (the period of greatest fetal vulnerability) and resume in the second trimester.

For building a pregnancy-safe skincare routine, the complete skincare guide provides a foundation, and the best peptides for skin guide covers individual options.

Insulin and Other Essential Peptide Medications

Some peptides are not optional during pregnancy — they're necessary:

Insulin: Insulin is a peptide hormone and the standard treatment for gestational diabetes and pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes during pregnancy. It does not cross the placenta and has decades of safety data in pregnancy. Insulin is considered safe and is often the preferred diabetes treatment during pregnancy.

Oxytocin: This peptide hormone is produced naturally during labor and is commonly administered to induce or augment labor. It's one of the most frequently used medications in obstetrics.

DDAVP (desmopressin): A synthetic analog of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone), used for diabetes insipidus and von Willebrand disease. It has been used during pregnancy with appropriate monitoring.

The point: peptides as a class are not inherently dangerous in pregnancy. The concern is specifically about peptides that lack safety data and have mechanisms of action that could theoretically affect fetal development.

Breastfeeding Considerations

Breastfeeding adds another layer of consideration, and the data is equally sparse for most peptides:

GLP-1 drugs: Not recommended during breastfeeding. It's unknown whether semaglutide or tirzepatide pass into breast milk. Given their molecular size (~4,100 Da for semaglutide), some transfer is possible. Manufacturers recommend against breastfeeding while on these medications.

Growth hormone peptides: Not recommended during breastfeeding due to lack of data.

Research peptides: Not recommended during breastfeeding for the same reasons as pregnancy — no safety data.

Topical skincare peptides: Generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. The minimal systemic absorption from topical application makes significant breast milk transfer extremely unlikely. Avoid applying peptide products directly to the breast/nipple area before nursing.

Insulin: Safe during breastfeeding. Insulin is degraded in the infant's GI tract even if small amounts transfer to breast milk.

Planning for Pregnancy: When to Stop

If you're planning to become pregnant and currently using peptides, here's a timeline guide:

Peptide CategoryWhen to Stop Before Conception
GLP-1 drugs (semaglutide, tirzepatide)At least 2 months before
Growth hormone peptides (CJC-1295, ipamorelin)At least 4-6 weeks before (based on half-life)
BPC-157, TB-500, other research peptidesAt least 4-6 weeks before
Topical skincare peptidesCan generally continue; discuss with OB/GYN
InsulinContinue as medically directed

These timelines allow for drug clearance based on known or estimated half-lives, with a safety margin. Discuss your specific situation with your healthcare provider.

What to Discuss with Your OB/GYN

If you've been using any peptides and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, here's what to bring to your prenatal appointment:

  1. A complete list of every peptide product you've used — including skincare products, supplements, and any research peptides
  2. When you last used each one — dates help your doctor assess exposure windows
  3. Route of administration — injectable, oral, or topical
  4. Dosage and duration — how much and for how long

Be honest and specific. Your doctor can't assess risk if they don't know what you've been taking. The conversation about peptides should be part of your comprehensive medication review. For tips on having productive conversations with doctors about peptides, see how to talk to your doctor about peptides.

Frequently Asked Questions

I found out I'm pregnant and I've been taking BPC-157. Should I be worried? First, stop taking it immediately. Second, know that there's no evidence BPC-157 causes birth defects — but there's also no evidence it doesn't. The absence of data is not the same as evidence of harm. Contact your OB/GYN, share exactly what you've been taking and for how long, and they can recommend appropriate monitoring (such as detailed ultrasound).

Can I use peptide skincare during pregnancy? Most dermatologists consider peptide skincare products safe during pregnancy. They have minimal systemic absorption and no known mechanism of fetal harm. If you want to be maximally cautious, you can switch to a simplified routine during the first trimester and reintroduce peptide products in the second trimester.

Is GHK-Cu serum safe during pregnancy? GHK-Cu in a topical serum is generally considered low risk because so little is absorbed systemically. However, GHK-Cu's copper content is worth mentioning to your OB/GYN, as copper levels are monitored during pregnancy. The amount from a topical serum is negligible compared to dietary copper, but transparency with your provider is always best.

My doctor prescribed semaglutide for weight loss. I want to get pregnant soon. What should I do? Tell your doctor about your pregnancy plans immediately. The standard recommendation is to discontinue semaglutide at least 2 months before attempting conception. Your doctor may also recommend switching your contraception strategy during the washout period. Weight lost on semaglutide can actually improve fertility outcomes, so completing your weight loss course before pregnancy can be beneficial.

Are collagen peptide supplements safe during pregnancy? Collagen peptide supplements (hydrolyzed collagen powder) are different from the bioactive peptides discussed throughout this article. They're essentially protein fragments — similar to dietary protein from meat, fish, or bone broth. Most healthcare providers consider them safe during pregnancy, though data is limited. They're listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA for food use. Check with your provider.

The Bottom Line

The peptide-pregnancy landscape breaks down simply:

  • GLP-1 drugs: Contraindicated. Stop before conception.
  • Growth hormone peptides: Not recommended. Stop before conception.
  • Research peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, etc.): Not recommended. No data. Stop before conception.
  • Topical skincare peptides: Generally considered low risk. Discuss with your OB/GYN.
  • Essential peptide medications (insulin): Continue as medically directed.

The overwhelming theme is that most peptides lack pregnancy safety data, and lacking data means defaulting to avoidance. This isn't because we know these substances are harmful — it's because we don't know they're safe, and the stakes of getting it wrong are too high.

If you're planning a pregnancy and currently using any peptides, have the conversation with your healthcare provider now, not after conception. Planning ahead gives you time to discontinue, clear the substance from your system, and transition to pregnancy-safe alternatives.

References

  1. Novo Nordisk. "Wegovy (semaglutide) Prescribing Information — Use in Pregnancy." FDA.gov. Updated 2025.
  2. Eli Lilly. "Zepbound (tirzepatide) Prescribing Information — Pregnancy Section." FDA.gov. Updated 2025.
  3. FDA. "Content and Format of Labeling for Human Prescription Drug and Biological Products; Requirements for Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling (PLLR)." Federal Register. 2014.
  4. Genentech. "Egrifta (tesamorelin) Prescribing Information." FDA.gov.
  5. ACOG Committee Opinion. "Obesity in Pregnancy." Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2021;137(4):e128-e144.
  6. Briggs GG, Freeman RK. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. 12th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2022.
  7. European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. "Notes of Guidance for the Testing of Cosmetic Ingredients and their Safety Evaluation." SCCS/1628/21.
  8. Blumer I, et al. "Diabetes and Pregnancy: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2013;98(11):4227-4249.
  9. Muller L, et al. "Placental transfer of GLP-1 receptor agonists: an in vitro study." Reproductive Toxicology. 2024.
  10. Bos JD, Meinardi MM. "The 500 Dalton rule for the skin penetration of chemical compounds and drugs." Experimental Dermatology. 2000;9(3):165-169.