Ozempic and Mounjaro users risk £1,000 fine if driving while taking GLP-1 medicines

Over one million Brits could be caught off-guard and slapped with a hefty 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 medications such as Ozempic in assisting with weight loss has resulted in many people, including celebs, using them beyond their intended purpose.

Some GLP-1 drugs, for example Mounjaro and Wegovy, are now available on the NHS for weight loss - though there is a strict criteria for the prescription.

However, motoring experts at Select Car Leasing have warned that users could experience certain side effects that affect their driving, and if so should let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know.

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.

Users of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic have been warned that they could face fines of up to £1,000 (Getty Stock Images)

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. Meanwhile, a further 3.3 million said they would be interested in using drugs over the next year.

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.

An estimated 1.6 million Brits have used drugs such as Ozempic for weight loss in the past year, a study claims (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

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 condition 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.”

Drivers must declare any medication-related issues that could impair them on the roads (Getty Stock Images)

Meanwhile, 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 its 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.”

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson told LADbible: "At Novo Nordisk we care deeply about patient safety. Like all medicines, treatments used for chronic conditions can have side effects, and these can vary from person to person. That is why medicines are prescribed by healthcare professionals, who consider the potential benefits and risks for each individual.

"If anybody you know might be experiencing side effects while taking our medicines, they should report them to their healthcare provider."

A DVLA spokesperson told LADbible: "Drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure they are fit to drive at all times. They must not drive if they are impaired by medication or its side effects, whether prescribed or not.

“They must also inform DVLA if a medical condition, or the side effects of any medication, are likely to affect their fitness to drive."

You can check if a medical condition or treatment might affect your ability to drive on the GOV.UK website.