UK: Pancreas Issues Reported with Weight Loss Injections

Alert in the British health authorities, as hundreds of users of injections for weight loss and diabetes report problems with the pancreas.

Some cases of pancreatitis allegedly related to GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have even led to death.

The Yellow Card system of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom has received nearly 400 reports of acute pancreatitis from patients receiving Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic and liraglutide, with almost half (181) concerning tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

An MHRA representative stated that there is an increase in reports of GLP-1 drugs and acute pancreatitis, along with their increased use.

The MHRA is investigating whether there are genetic factors that favor the development of pancreatitis and encourages anyone hospitalized with acute pancreatitis that may be related to taking these drugs to report it.

A representative of Lilly, manufacturer of Mounjaro, and a representative of Novo Nordisk UK, which manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy, stated that patient safety is a priority for their companies.