Small risk of severe acute pancreatitis with weight-loss jabs, UK regulator warns

UK regulator warns of small but severe risk of pancreatitis from weight-loss jabs

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning about the potential risk of severe acute pancreatitis associated with weight-loss medication. According to recent data, approximately 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland used GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which are used to lose weight.

The MHRA has updated its guidance following an increase in reports of acute pancreatitis, a condition where the pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed. This can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, and even hospitalization. The regulator acknowledges that while pancreatitis is rare, it's essential for patients to be aware of this potential side effect.

The data shows that 1,143 reports of acute and chronic pancreatitis have been logged among patients taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, with 17 reported fatalities. Nearly all (973) were related to tirzepatide, while 166 were linked to semaglutide. The MHRA has also received fewer reports from patients taking liraglutide and dulaglutide.

The agency's chief safety officer, Dr Alison Cave, emphasized that the risk of developing severe side effects is "very small" but stressed the importance of being aware of associated symptoms. She advised patients to report any concerns to their healthcare professional and the MHRA's yellow card scheme.

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, which makes Wegovy and Ozempic, said that patient safety is a top priority and recommended that patients take these medications only as prescribed by a healthcare professional. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, also emphasized its commitment to patient safety and encouraged users to consult their doctor if they experience any side effects.

The MHRA's efforts to monitor medication safety are ongoing, with a new study launched to investigate whether an individual's genes can influence the risk of pancreatitis. This study aims to help identify patients who may be most at risk of adverse reactions and prescribe safer medicines accordingly.

I'm kinda worried about these weight-loss jabs ... I mean, on one hand, it's awesome that people are trying to get healthy and lose weight . But the MHRA is being super cautious here and for good reason - pancreatitis is no joke . 17 fatalities? That's a small number, but still, it's not nothing .

I think it's great that Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are taking this seriously too . Patient safety always comes first . But at the same time, I feel like we need to be realistic about these meds . They're not magic solutions to weight loss . We gotta take responsibility for our own health and make informed decisions about what we put in our bodies .

This new study about genes influencing risk is a step in the right direction ... but let's hope it doesn't just lead to more meds that are 'safer' but still not perfect . We need to keep pushing for better, not just more of the same .

I'm worried about these weight-loss jabs... I know some people need them, especially after COVID-19 weight gain, but a severe risk of pancreatitis? That's not something you want to mess with . I think the UK regulator is right to be cautious and warning patients about this potential side effect. It's good that they're looking into whether genetics can influence the risk too - maybe we can develop more targeted treatments . But seriously, patients should be aware of the symptoms and report any concerns to their doctor ASAP . Not worth the risk, you know?

just heard about this weight-loss jabs might have a side effect that's no joke... pancreatitis is a serious condition, can cause some bad symptoms like severe pain and nausea... yeah, i know ppl want to lose weight, but not at the cost of their health need to be aware of these risks and report any concerns to their doc

omg I'm literally worried about ppl taking those weight loss meds ... 1,143 reports of pancreatitis? that's like, a lot and 17 fatalities? it's heartbreaking. I think the UK regulator is right to warn ppl, but at the same time, i feel like they should've done more earlier . semaglutide and tirzepatide are literally super popular meds now and it's crazy that almost all reports were related to one of them . what's going on with liraglutide and dulaglutide though? not enough info . anyway, i guess the MHRA is trying to be proactive and study ppl's genes to identify potential risks . good for them, I guess .

omg u guys just heard about this from my fave health Instagram acc and i'm low-key freaking out rn... apparently those weight loss jabs are giving ppl severe pancreatitis like a rare but legit risk 1.6 million ppl in england used these meds tho so it's like a small but still super scary amount of people the mhra is being all cautious and stuff, saying it's a tiny risk but still wanna make sure ppl know what to look out for gotta be careful when taking meds, y'know? also novo nordisk is being super responsible about patient safety and eli lilly is on the same page

Ugh, it's like they're playing with fire over there... these weight-loss jabs are supposed to be helping people live healthier lives, but now we got a warning about pancreatitis? I mean, 1.6 million people in the UK already taking these meds and suddenly 17 fatalities? That's not exactly reassuring .

And it's like, what's next? Are they gonna start issuing warnings for all sorts of medications? It feels like we're just regurgitating old news from like, 10 years ago... remember when it was all about rofecoxib and heart attacks?

But at the same time, I get why they're doing this. We need to make sure these meds are safe for people. And I'm all for transparency, right? So yeah, I guess what I'm saying is that we need to be more vigilant about our health... but can't we just enjoy some comfort food without freaking out over every little thing?

I'm really worried about these weight loss jabs . I mean, yeah, they're great for helping people lose weight and all that, but the risk of pancreatitis is just too high, you know? Like, it's not even a huge number, 1.6 million people in the UK using them, but still...17 reported fatalities? That's just crazy.

I think what worries me most is that the MHRA says the risk is "very small", like, yeah, we get it, it's rare. But the thing is, acute pancreatitis can be super debilitating and even life-threatening, especially if you're not aware of the symptoms . I just wish there was more awareness around this potential side effect.

And what's really interesting (and a bit alarming) is that the study launched by the MHRA to investigate whether genes can influence the risk of pancreatitis...that raises so many questions about individualized medicine, you know? Like, if some people are more likely to develop pancreatitis based on their genetics, do they deserve to be prescribed these meds or not?

It's a tricky situation, for sure. But I think what's most important is that patients are aware of the potential risks and side effects, especially since the medicines are so popular right now . We need more research, but in the meantime, let's all just be super vigilant about our health and report any concerns to our docs ASAP

Wow

Interesting, these weight-loss jabs have got some major risks attached, especially for people taking tirzepatide. I guess it's good that the regulators are keeping an eye on this stuff, but 17 reported fatalities is still super low, right? Guess you just gotta be careful and report any weird symptoms to your doc ASAP...

Ugh dont even get me started on these weight loss meds its like people just swallow this crap without thinking about what theyre putting in their bodies semaglutide and tirzepatide are literally killing ppl with pancreatitis 17 reported fatalities and the regulator is still saying its a "small" risk like who cares if your insides are turned to mush

and then theres this MHRA is trying to monitor medication safety but its always a step too late when people get hurt from these meds why should we have to be constantly reporting side effects just to stay safe

i mean im all for getting healthy and losing weight but not at the expense of your life i need to see more transparency around these medications and how they really work before i trust them with my health

I'm totally freaked out about this news ... I mean, 17 reported fatalities from weight-loss jabs is just too much for me. I know it's a small risk, but it's still super scary . I've been using Ozempic and I have to say, I feel like it's really helping me lose weight, but now I'm worried about pancreatitis . The fact that the MHRA is investigating if your genes can influence the risk of pancreatitis makes sense to me - we all know how our genes play a role in our health, right? Anyway, I think patients should be aware of this potential side effect and report any concerns to their healthcare pro ASAP .

I'm worried about those weight-loss jabs. I've seen people talking about them online, like they're miracle pills or something . But now it's out that there's a small but severe risk of pancreatitis? That sounds super scary . My friend has one of these meds and she's been taking it for ages, but I wouldn't dare ask her about it anymore . The regulator is saying the risk is "very small", but what if I don't believe them? Shouldn't they just stop making these things altogether? And why do we need a new study to figure out whether our genes affect how we react to them? Can't that info be used now? Just feels like a lot of hassle for something that's supposed to help us lose weight...

I'm worried about these weight-loss jabs, you know? The UK regulator is warning about a small but severe risk of pancreatitis, which can cause super painful stomach issues and even hospitalization . 1.6 million people in England used GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, and while the risk is low, it's still something to be aware of .

Here's a simple diagram to illustrate the situation:
```
+---------------+
| Weight Loss |
+---------------+
|
| Risk of Pancreatitis
v
+---------------+
| Semaglutide |
| Tirzepatide |
+---------------+
|
| Rare but Severe Side Effect
v
+---------------+
| Acute Pancreatitis |
| Chronic Pancreatitis |
+---------------+
```
I think it's great that the MHRA is monitoring medication safety and working on a new study to identify patients who may be at higher risk of adverse reactions . It's also good that manufacturers like Novo Nordisk are prioritizing patient safety and encouraging users to report any side effects . Let's all stay informed and look out for each other!

just thinking about it and its crazy how some meds can have super rare but deadly side effects... i mean we all know the importance of taking meds as prescribed by docs, but this just shows how vigilant we gotta be like what if someone's gene combo makes them more prone to pancreatitis? that'd be wild anyway, so yeah gotta keep an eye out for any weird symptoms if u take those weight loss jabs...

omg u guys I just found out about this warning from UK regulators about weight loss meds like semaglutide & tirzepatide being linked 2 severe pancreatitis its crazy to think that like only 17 ppl died from it... but omg the stats are wild, like 1.6 million adults in england used these meds & there were 1143 reported cases of pancreatitis my cousin's sis is on one of these meds & I told her 2 be careful lol she just took it as prescribed tho anyway yeah its def a good idea 2 be aware of the risks, my doc always says 2 report any weird symptoms 2 him... btw have u ever had pancreatitis?

I'm not sure about these weight-loss jabs, you know? One minute they're a miracle cure, the next we're getting warnings about pancreatitis. It's like they say: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And I do think there should be more research done on this stuff before they approve it for public use. 1 in 1.6 million is still way too many people getting hospitalized from these meds . Can't we just focus on healthy eating and exercise instead?

I'm not super worried about this . I mean, yeah, 17 fatalities is a lot, but you gotta think it's still pretty rare, right? Like, if 1.6 million people are taking these meds, that's still only like 0.001% chance of getting pancreatitis . And the MHRA is on top of it, updating their guidance and all that . Plus, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are super proactive about patient safety . I'm just glad they're doing some research to see if genetics can play a role in who's more likely to get pancreatitis . That could lead to even safer meds down the line!

I'm shocked that weight-loss jabs have been deemed "safe" by the UK regulator all these years... 17 reported fatalities from semaglutide is still way too many if you ask me . The fact that nearly all tirzepatide-related pancreatitis cases were fatal is just heartbreaking . And what's with the regulators' focus on "very small" risks? Can't they see how this could be a major issue for people trying to lose weight for health reasons rather than just looking good? Anyway, I'm definitely not going to start taking these meds anytime soon...