Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy: Hundreds in UK report pancreatic problems after injections

A wellness alert has been raised successful the UK arsenic hundreds of radical utilizing injections for value nonaccomplishment and diabetes person reported issues linked to the pancreas.

Some cases of pancreatitis, reportedly connected to GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1), person adjacent resulted successful fatalities.

Acute pancreatitis is simply a abrupt inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located down the tummy that plays a captious relation successful digestion. The information often requires hospitalization. Symptoms see terrible abdominal pain, nausea, and fever.

GLP-1 cause leaflets database pancreatitis arsenic an “uncommon” broadside effect, affecting astir 1 successful 100 patients. To date, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Yellow Card strategy has received astir 400 reports of acute pancreatitis successful patients treated with Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, and liraglutide, with astir fractional (181 cases) linked to tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

Rise successful cases during 2025
Since the opening of the year, determination person been 22 reports of acute pancreatitis linked to semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and 101 linked to tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

An MHRA spokesperson stated:
“Alongside accrued usage, we are seeing a emergence successful Yellow Card reports that notation GLP-1 medications and acute pancreatitis.”

Due to the seriousness of the condition, the MHRA announced it is investigating whether familial factors whitethorn predispose individuals to pancreatitis. The bureau urges anyone hospitalized with suspected pancreatitis related to these drugs to study it done the Yellow Card scheme. Healthcare professionals are besides encouraged to study cases connected behalf of their patients.

Studies suggest that adverse cause reactions relationship for 1 successful six infirmary admissions.

Drug makers respond
Dr. Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:
“Evidence shows that astir one-third of adverse cause reactions could beryllium prevented done familial testing. It’s estimated that adverse reactions outgo the NHS implicit £2.2 cardinal a twelvemonth successful infirmary admissions alone.”

A spokesperson for Lilly, shaper of Mounjaro, commented:
*”Patient information is our apical priority. We instrumentality each information study earnestly and actively monitor, assess, and study information information for each our medicines. Adverse events should beryllium reported done the Yellow Card scheme, though they whitethorn besides beryllium related to different factors, specified arsenic pre-existing conditions.

The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) merchandise accusation warns that inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis) is an uncommon broadside effect (may impact up to 1 successful 100 people). Patients are advised to consult their doc earlier usage if they person a past of pancreatitis.”*

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk UK, shaper of Ozempic and Wegovy, added:
*”Patient information is of utmost value to us. As with immoderate medication, broadside effects whitethorn hap and alteration from idiosyncratic to person.

The known risks and benefits of GLP-1 medications are outlined successful the product’s summary of characteristics. We urge that these medicines beryllium utilized lone for approved indications and nether the supervision of a healthcare professional, who tin besides counsel connected imaginable broadside effects.”