-- New weight loss drugs like
Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound
may make oral birth control pills less effective at certain points
--
SAN
DIEGO, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Use of GLP-1
receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, is skyrocketing in the United States, with more than nine
million prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro,
and similar diabetes and obesity drugs written during the
last three months of 2022 alone.1
Zepbound weekly prescriptions hit 25,000 in
December 2023, just one month after
it was approved to treat obesity.2 These drugs may make
oral birth control pills less effective at certain points in the
dosing schedule, making an unintended pregnancy more likely.
Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain the same
compound, clearly instruct prescribers to "advise females using
oral contraceptives to switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or
add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation
and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation."3 Patients
are cautioned that "birth control pills may not work as well," and
that their "healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth
control…"4
"The use of GLP-1 agonists to help women lose weight has become
more prevalent," noted Lisa Rarick,
M.D., FACOG, an OB-GYN working in Washington D.C. "For women who take oral
contraceptives in conjunction with these medications, it is
imperative they be counseled on options for back-up contraception,
since many of these medications could interact with oral
contraceptives, making them less effective. This highlights
the critical need for a non-systemic, non-hormonal method, like
Phexxi, to prevent unintended pregnancy."
Users of oral birth control considering GLP-1 treatment are
encouraged to plan ahead to prevent unintended
pregnancy. Having a contraceptive strategy in place and the
right product at your fingertips enables spontaneous intimacy no
matter where you are in your GLP-1 dosing schedule.
An on-demand, hormone-free method is a logical choice to provide
these patients additional protection they need. One such
option, Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium
bitartrate) vaginal gel, puts the power in her hands and with
an FDA-approved contraceptive that she uses only when she needs
it.
The company behind Phexxi, women's health innovator Evofem
Biosciences, Inc. (OTCQB: EVFM), recently entered into a definitive
agreement to be acquired by Aditxt, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADTX). Evofem
believes the contemplated transaction represents a compelling
opportunity to accelerate its growth trajectory, as a subsidiary of
Aditxt, into a multi-product women's health franchise. The
companies are working toward a mid-2024 close.
About Evofem Biosciences
Evofem Biosciences is
commercializing innovative products to address unmet needs in
women's sexual and reproductive health. The Company's first
FDA-approved product, Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric
acid, and potassium bitartrate), is a hormone-free, on-demand
prescription contraceptive vaginal gel. It comes in a box of 12
pre-filled applicators and is applied 0-60 minutes before each act
of sex. Learn more at phexxi.com and
evofem.com.
Phexxi® is a registered trademark of Evofem Biosciences,
Inc.
Sources
1 Trilliant Health report
September 2023.
2 Reuters 'Lilly CEO says weight-loss drug Zepbound
weekly prescriptions hit 25,000 in December.' 1/8/2024
3 Zepbound Prescribing Information.
https://uspl.lilly.com/zepbound/zepbound.html#pi
4 Zepbound Safety Summary with Warnings.
https://zepbound.lilly.com/
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes
"forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the safe harbor
for forward-looking statements provided by Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without
limitation, the anticipated benefits of the contemplated Aditxt
transaction and timing thereof. You are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are
current only as of the date of this press release. Each of these
forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking
statements are disclosed in the Company's SEC filings, including
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2022 filed with the SEC on April 27, 2023, Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2023 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023 and any
subsequent filings. All forward-looking statements are expressly
qualified in their entirety by such factors. The Company does not
undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statement except
as required by law.
Media Contact
media@evofem.com
Investor Contact
Amy
Raskopf
Evofem Biosciences, Inc.
araskopf@evofem.com
Mobile: (917) 673-5775
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SOURCE Evofem Biosciences, Inc.