By M10News Health Desk | © M10News 2025
More than a million people in the UK using popular weight loss and diabetes injections, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, may face a potential risk of serious side effects, new data from the UK’s medicines regulator has revealed.
Figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) show these so-called GLP-1 drugs have been linked to cases of pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
According to the MHRA, there have been 181 reported cases of acute or chronic pancreatitis linked to the drug Mounjaro, including five deaths.
Wegovy and Ozempic have been associated with 113 cases and one death. Other, less widely used GLP-1 drugs have also been connected to further incidents.
The MHRA stressed there is no definitive evidence that the medications directly caused these deaths, and the current data is not strong enough to warrant restricting access to the drugs.
Pancreatitis affects approximately 560 people per million in the general population, often due to gallstones or alcohol consumption.
However, as a precaution, the MHRA and Genomics England are launching a genetic study to determine whether some individuals carry genes that increase their risk of developing pancreatitis when taking GLP-1 medicines.
Patients who reported pancreatitis through the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme will be invited to provide saliva samples for genetic testing.
“GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines, there can be a risk of serious side effects,” said Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer at Genomics England.
“We believe there is real potential to minimise these, as many adverse reactions have a genetic cause.
This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data to support safer, more personalised treatments,” he added.
Academics want to see whether a potential side effect is influenced by genetic differences.
The Independent UK
Pancreatitis symptoms include severe abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. While most acute cases are treatable with fluids and oxygen in hospital, complications can occur, and around 5% of severe cases are fatal.
The GLP-1 drugs are widely used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering clear benefits such as reduced blood sugar levels, rapid weight loss, and a 20% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease.
However, experts have warned of health risks for people using these medications privately for cosmetic weight loss with little medical justification.
“This is a wake-up call,” Professor Brown said. “These are powerful medications that affect more than just appetite — they impact several vital organs, including the brain. Pancreatitis is only one of many possible side effects.”
Manufacturer Eli Lilly, which produces Mounjaro, said patient safety remains its “top priority,” noting that pancreatitis is listed as an uncommon side effect, affecting up to 1 in 100 people.
The company advises patients to consult a healthcare professional before using the drug, especially if they have a history of pancreatitis.
Novo Nordisk UK, which manufactures Wegovy and Ozempic, echoed those concerns. “Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk,” the company said. “Side effects can occur and vary from person to person. We recommend that these medicines are only used for their approved indications under medical supervision.”
As reported by Sky News.
