Ozempic and Mounjaro users risk £1,000 fine if driving while taking GLP-1 medicines
Around 1.6 million Brits could be at risk of receiving a £1,000 fine if they get behind the wheel while suffering from specific side effects from GLP-1 drugs.
Originally developed for treatment of type two diabetes, the effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic in assisting with weight loss has resulted in many people, including celebrities, using them beyond their intended purpose.
Some GLP-1 drugs, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, are now available on the NHS for weight loss.
However, motoring experts at Select Car Leasing have warned that users could experience side effects such as dizziness or impaired vision that affect their driving, and if so should let the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know.
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Dizziness due to low blood sugar is listed as a side effect for Ozempic if you're using it alongside another medication which lowers blood sugar, such as sulfonylurea or insulin. Changes in vision are also listed as a side effect. Dizziness is reported as a common side effect of Mounjaro.
Manufacturer Eli Lilly says Mounjaro has 'no or negligible influence on the ability to drive'.
The DVLA requires drivers with certain medical conditions, like diabetes and sleep apnoea, to report their condition, with a failure to do so resulting in a fine of up to £1,000.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: "Drivers may be surprised to learn that side effects from prescription medication, such as dizziness, can fall under the DVLA's reporting requirements if those side effects affect someone's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
"Failing to declare any medication-related issues that impair your driving could result in a £1,000 fine, and you also leave yourself open to a potential dangerous driving or careless driving conviction."
An estimated 1.6 million Brits have used GLP-1 drugs in an attempt to lose weight in the past year, according to a report by University College London.
While GLP-1 medications don't directly make driving more risky, some of their side effects can, with users having reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue and dizziness.
Robert Bradhsaw, superintendent pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, said: “Dizziness may make it harder to focus on the road or could impair vision, making it unsafe to drive.
“Persistent fatigue could also reduce alertness and slow down reaction time to hazards or traffic. Even nausea and stomach discomfort can quickly become distracting behind the wheel."
Fatigue is listed as a side effect of Mounjaro. Conditions which cause extreme sleepiness, such as sleep apnoea, need to be reported to the DVLA.
Nausea in itself is not a conditon that needs to be reported to the DVLA, though it could impact your safety on the road.
Bradshaw continued: “Drivers taking GLP-1 medications alongside insulin or sulfonylureas (such as gliclazide) should be especially cautious, as the combination increases the risk of hypoglycaemia. Symptoms, including sweating, shakiness, confusion and blurred vision, can affect driving safety.
“If you notice any of these effects, it’s best to avoid driving until you feel well again.”
Mr Conway added: “It’s important to stress that being on a GLP-1 drug isn’t necessarily a barrier to driving. The vast majority of people taking these medications may not experience side effects at all.
"However, if you are experiencing side effects that impact your ability to drive, it’s crucial to report them to the DVLA.”
Eli Lilly, which manufactures Mounjaro, writes on their website: "Tirzepatide has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines. When tirzepatide is used in combination with a sulphonylurea or insulin, patients should be advised to take precautions to avoid hypoglycaemia while driving and using machines."
LADbible has contacted Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, and the DVLA for a comment.
Matthew Hancock-Bruce