Weight loss jabs linked to potentially deadly side effect
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reported hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis, and 10 deaths, linked to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
The MHRA is investigating 294 specific cases of pancreatitis associated with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), though direct causation by the drugs has not yet been definitively proven.
Experts acknowledge the potential for side effects but emphasise that for the majority of users, the benefits of these medications for weight loss outweigh the risks, and the incidence of pancreatitis remains rare.
A new study is being launched by the MHRA, in collaboration with Genomics England, to investigate if genetic factors influence adverse reactions to GLP-1 drugs, aiming to personalise medication safety.
Drug manufacturers, such as Lilly for Mounjaro, prioritise patient safety, actively monitor side effects, and include warnings about pancreatitis as an uncommon side effect in patient information leaflets.
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