UK Health Officials Launch Study into Weight Loss Drug Pancreas Issues
UK health regulators have initiated an urgent study into potential serious side effects associated with popular weight loss and type 2 diabetes injectable medications, including Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy. The move follows hundreds of reports linking these drugs to pancreas problems, specifically acute pancreatitis.
While these GLP-1 medications are seen by many as a powerful tool in the fight against obesity, health bodies caution they are not a “silver bullet” and can cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea. However, recent reports have highlighted more severe potential issues.
Pancreatitis Reports Trigger Investigation
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received a significant number of reports concerning pancreatitis from individuals using drugs like Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Wegovy (semaglutide). Data from the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, which tracks adverse drug reactions, shows nearly 400 reports of acute or chronic pancreatitis linked to these medications.
Acute pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, is a severe condition often requiring hospital admission. Symptoms typically include intense abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. While patient information leaflets for GLP-1 drugs already list pancreatitis as an “uncommon” side effect (potentially affecting up to 1 in 100 patients), the volume of recent reports, particularly for Mounjaro, has prompted concern.
Concerningly, Yellow Card data up to mid-May this year includes 10 reports where patients using weight loss drugs died from the effects of pancreatitis. However, it’s crucial to note that causality is not yet confirmed, and other underlying health factors may have contributed to these outcomes.
Investigating a Potential Genetic Link
The joint study by the MHRA and Genomics England aims to better predict which individuals might be most vulnerable to adverse reactions like pancreatitis when taking these medicines.
Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA’s chief safety officer, stated the goal is to use information gathered “to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions, enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic make-up.” She highlighted that genetic testing could potentially prevent almost a third of medication side effects overall.
To participate in the study, the MHRA and Genomics England are asking individuals aged 18 and over who have been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking weight loss or type 2 diabetes GLP-1 drugs to report their experience via the Yellow Card website. Health professionals are also encouraged to report on behalf of patients.
Those who report and meet the study criteria may be invited to participate in the Yellow Card Biobank study. This involves providing more detailed health information and a saliva sample for genetic analysis. The core hypothesis is to explore whether specific genetic factors could increase an individual’s risk of developing acute pancreatitis when using these medications.
Prof. Matt Brown, chief scientific officer at Genomics England, noted that while GLP-1 medicines have gained prominence, “like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects.” He added, “We believe there is real potential to minimise these, with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause.”
Broader Context and Challenges
Adverse drug reactions represent a significant challenge for the NHS, reportedly costing over £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. Identifying genetic predispositions could pave the way for more personalised prescribing practices, shifting towards a more prevention-focused healthcare system.
Pharmaceutical companies manufacturing these drugs, such as Lilly (Mounjaro) and Novo Nordisk (Ozempic/Wegovy), have stated that patient safety is a top priority. They continuously monitor safety data, note that warnings about pancreatitis are included in patient information, and advise patients with a history of the condition to consult their doctor. While welcoming new research, they maintain that the overall benefit-risk profile of their GLP-1 medicines remains positive when used appropriately.
One difficulty in fully understanding the prevalence of side effects is the unknown number of people in the UK using these drugs. Many obtain them online through unregulated sources rather than clinical prescriptions, making comprehensive tracking challenging.
Beyond the pancreatitis study, the MHRA has also issued other warnings regarding these drugs, including potential reduced effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill for some Mounjaro users.
The findings of this study, by potentially identifying genetic markers for risk, aim to improve patient safety and inform future prescribing decisions for these widely-used medications.
