UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning about the potential risk of severe acute pancreatitis associated with weight-loss medications, particularly GLP-1 injections. These medications have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their effectiveness in helping patients lose weight.
According to recent research, approximately 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland used these medications between early 2024 and early 2025. While the risk of pancreatitis is considered small, with only about one in 100 patients experiencing an uncommon reaction, the MHRA has seen a significant increase in reports of acute pancreatitis to its yellow card scheme.
Patients taking GLP-1 injections, such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), should be aware that severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of acute pancreatitis. If you or someone you care for experiences any of these symptoms while taking these medications, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately.
The MHRA emphasizes that patient safety is its top priority, and the agency continually monitors the safety and efficacy of all licensed medicines. While the risk of developing severe side effects like acute pancreatitis is small, it is crucial that patients and healthcare professionals are vigilant and report any symptoms promptly.
In response to the warning, manufacturers of these medications have emphasized their commitment to patient safety. Novo Nordisk, which produces Wegovy and Ozempic, has recommended that patients use these medications only for approved indications and under close medical supervision. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, has also stressed its dedication to ensuring patient safety and actively monitoring reports of adverse reactions.
The MHRA is now working with researchers to investigate whether genetic factors may influence an individual's risk of developing pancreatitis while taking these medications. This study aims to improve our understanding of the potential risks associated with GLP-1 injections and inform more targeted and personalized treatment approaches in the future.
According to recent research, approximately 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland used these medications between early 2024 and early 2025. While the risk of pancreatitis is considered small, with only about one in 100 patients experiencing an uncommon reaction, the MHRA has seen a significant increase in reports of acute pancreatitis to its yellow card scheme.
Patients taking GLP-1 injections, such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), should be aware that severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of acute pancreatitis. If you or someone you care for experiences any of these symptoms while taking these medications, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately.
The MHRA emphasizes that patient safety is its top priority, and the agency continually monitors the safety and efficacy of all licensed medicines. While the risk of developing severe side effects like acute pancreatitis is small, it is crucial that patients and healthcare professionals are vigilant and report any symptoms promptly.
In response to the warning, manufacturers of these medications have emphasized their commitment to patient safety. Novo Nordisk, which produces Wegovy and Ozempic, has recommended that patients use these medications only for approved indications and under close medical supervision. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, has also stressed its dedication to ensuring patient safety and actively monitoring reports of adverse reactions.
The MHRA is now working with researchers to investigate whether genetic factors may influence an individual's risk of developing pancreatitis while taking these medications. This study aims to improve our understanding of the potential risks associated with GLP-1 injections and inform more targeted and personalized treatment approaches in the future.
. i'm not surprised, tbh - these meds have been on the market for a while now and some people are already reporting weird side effects 
. pancreatitis is just one of them, but it's still super scary.
. that's a lot of people taking the same meds. it's like, yeah, we know they're effective for weight loss, but what about the risks? shouldn't manufacturers be doing more to warn us about potential side effects before we start taking them?
. it's better to be safe than sorry, right? anyway, glad the MHRA is on top of this and trying to investigate further 
. hope they can figure out what's going on and find ways to minimize the risks 
those meds are literally lifesavers for some people but at what cost? 
it's like they're saying 'yeah we know this is a risk but go ahead and take it'... no way, just no 
as long as the MHRA keeps on keeping us safe, i'm good 
fingers crossed for everyone who's taking these meds that they stay healthy 
. The stats are pretty alarming - 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland used these meds between 2024 and 2025 
.
. The thing is, these meds are being used for weight loss, which already puts pressure on your pancreas 
.
The MHRA's trying to investigate this with a new study, which I think is super important - it could lead to more targeted and personalized treatment approaches in the future 
.
.
its not super common but like 1 in 100 ppl can get sick 
i mean its good the devs r listenin & makin sure patients r safe 
! I've been using semaglutide (Ozempic) for a bit now and it's helped me so much with my weight 
, but now I'm worried 
. Did you know that even though the risk is small, like 1 in 100, it's still super scary? And those symptoms, like severe abdominal pain and nausea, sound awful 
Anyway, I think it's super important for all of us to be aware of this warning and report any symptoms ASAP 
... gotta make sure we're all being careful and talking to our docs about any side effects 
.