Weight loss and diabetes blows taken by more than a million people in the United Kingdom have been linked to a serious potential side effect, with certain deaths, according to data from the British medication regulator.
The new figures from the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) show that the group of drugs that includes Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic can be associated with inflammation of the pancreas.
According to the MHRA, 181 cases of acute or chronic pancreatitis were reported linked to Mounjaro, with five deaths.
Wegovy and Ozempic were linked to 113 reports of pancreatitis and a death.
Other less widely used versions of the so-called GLP-1 drugs have also been linked to cases and deaths.
There is no evidence that the drugs have directly caused deaths. And the evidence is not strong enough for the MHRA to restrict access.
Comparative weight loss drugs
Indeed bile calculations and alcohol are the biggest causes.
But the MHRA and the Genomics England are launching a new study to see if some people have genes that present them at higher risk of developing pancreatitis if they take GLP-1 medication.
People reported through the MHRA “yellow card” alert system to have pancreatitis when using Jabs will be invited to provide a saliva sample and their tested genes.
Professor Matt Brown, scientific director of Genomics England, said: “GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have made the headlines, but like all drugs, there may be a risk of serious side effects.
“We believe that there is a real potential to minimize them, many undesirable reactions with a genetic cause.
“This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence of safer and more efficient processing thanks to more personalized approaches to prescription.”
Assortment of weight loss and diabetic drugs. Pic: Istock
The main symptoms of pancreatitis are intense pain in the center of the stomach area, fever and nausea. The acute cases are treated in the hospital with liquids and oxygen and are generally recovered in a few days.
But there may be complications and approximately 5% of acute cases are fatal.
With all drugs, there is a balance of risks and advantages.
For people with type 2 diabetes Or obesityThere are clear advantages to use Jabs.
They lower blood sugar, cause rapid weight loss and reduce deaths by cardiovascular disease by a fifth.
Find out more:
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But for people who are a little overweight and who have obtained private blows to lose a few pounds before their summer vacation, health services are much less clear.
This is an alarm clock for them.
These are powerful drugs with effects not only on appetite, but on many bodily organs, including the brain.
And pancreatitis is only one of the many possible side effects.
Lilly, British manufacturer of Mounjaro, said that patient safety was his “absolute priority”.
The patient’s patient information leaflet “warns that the fiery pancreas (acute pancreatitis) is a rare side effect (which can affect up to 1 in 100 people),” the press release continued.
Lily “also advises patients to speak to their doctor or another healthcare professional before using Mounjaro if they have already had pancreatitis,” he added.
Likewise, Novo Nordisk UK, which manufactures Wegovy and Ozempic, said in a statement: “Patient safety is of the utmost importance for Novo Nordisk.
“Like all drugs, side effects can occur and vary from patient to patient. The known risks and advantages of GLP1 drugs are described in the summary of product characteristics.
“We recommend that patients take these drugs only for their approved indications and under the strict supervision of a health professional, who can also advise on potential side effects.”
