UK Regulator Warns of Small Risk of Severe Acute Pancreatitis with Weight-Loss Jabs
A warning has been issued by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regarding weight-loss medications. According to the regulator, patients taking certain diabetes injections and weight-loss jabs are at a small risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis.
The MHRA received an increase in reports of this condition among patients using semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), prompting the regulator to update its guidance. Since early 2024, approximately 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland have used GLP-1 medications to lose weight.
The rare condition occurs when the pancreas becomes suddenly inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. In most cases, patients require hospitalization.
While acknowledging that acute pancreatitis is a rare occurrence, the MHRA has taken action to address concerns raised by an increase in reports through its yellow card scheme, which monitors any adverse reactions to medications and medical devices.
To date, there have been 1,143 reports of acute and chronic pancreatitis among patients taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, with 17 reported fatalities. Nearly all of these cases were logged in 2025, with the majority related to tirzepatide.
Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA, emphasized that patient safety is a top priority and that the regulator continually monitors the safety and efficacy of licensed medicines. She noted that while the risk of developing severe side effects is small, it's essential for patients and healthcare professionals to be aware of associated symptoms.
The MHRA recommends that patients taking GLP-1s report any symptoms such as severe stomach pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting to their healthcare professional and via the yellow card scheme. A new study collaboration between the MHRA and Genomics England aims to investigate whether an individual's genes may influence the risk of adverse reactions, with the ultimate goal of predicting which patients are most at risk.
The manufacturers of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro have responded by emphasizing patient safety as their top priority. They advise patients to use these medications only for approved indications under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional and encourage them to report any side effects.
A warning has been issued by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regarding weight-loss medications. According to the regulator, patients taking certain diabetes injections and weight-loss jabs are at a small risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis.
The MHRA received an increase in reports of this condition among patients using semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), prompting the regulator to update its guidance. Since early 2024, approximately 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland have used GLP-1 medications to lose weight.
The rare condition occurs when the pancreas becomes suddenly inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. In most cases, patients require hospitalization.
While acknowledging that acute pancreatitis is a rare occurrence, the MHRA has taken action to address concerns raised by an increase in reports through its yellow card scheme, which monitors any adverse reactions to medications and medical devices.
To date, there have been 1,143 reports of acute and chronic pancreatitis among patients taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, with 17 reported fatalities. Nearly all of these cases were logged in 2025, with the majority related to tirzepatide.
Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA, emphasized that patient safety is a top priority and that the regulator continually monitors the safety and efficacy of licensed medicines. She noted that while the risk of developing severe side effects is small, it's essential for patients and healthcare professionals to be aware of associated symptoms.
The MHRA recommends that patients taking GLP-1s report any symptoms such as severe stomach pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting to their healthcare professional and via the yellow card scheme. A new study collaboration between the MHRA and Genomics England aims to investigate whether an individual's genes may influence the risk of adverse reactions, with the ultimate goal of predicting which patients are most at risk.
The manufacturers of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro have responded by emphasizing patient safety as their top priority. They advise patients to use these medications only for approved indications under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional and encourage them to report any side effects.
, but this time its more serious, you know? I mean, pancreatitis is no joke, it's like your insides are having a rave party and the NHS is like "Hey, calm down, mate!" But seriously, at least they're being proactive and updating their guidelines. It just means we have to be more aware of what we're taking and report any weird symptoms ASAP 
. On the bright side, who needs a beach body when you can have a healthy pancreas? 
I'm shocked they're not being more clear about this from the start! 
It's like they knew it was a risk but didn't want to scare people off from using these meds for weight loss. And now we've got 17 reported fatalities? That's just crazy! 
What's going on with all these reports coming in at the same time in 2025? Is that some kind of coincidence or what? 
Anyway, I think it's super responsible of the MHRA to update their guidance and make patients aware of the risks. We need more transparency like this so we can make informed decisions about our health! 
. I mean, I know some people have been struggling with their weight, but this risk of severe pancreatitis is just too high for me. 17 reported fatalities? That's crazy! 
i'm glad the MHRA is looking into this tho 
and maybe one day we'll figure out a way to predict which patients are more at risk 
. Like, yeah, pancreatitis is rare but still super painful & can be life-threatening. GLP-1 meds have been lifesavers for many but now we gotta keep an eye on 'em 
. Don't mean to freak anyone out but just wanna make sure everyone's aware of the risks 
, but seriously, this is some scary stuff! I mean, 1 in a million people or whatever, but still. It's like, you gotta be super careful with these meds, ya know? 
️... just saying, let's all be aware of the risks and report any weird symptoms to our docs 
. And, like, isn't it cool that they're studying genetics to figure out who's more at risk? Mind blown! 
I mean, sure it's good that we have a regulator looking out for us, but 17 reported fatalities is still crazy 
. And it's not just the fatal cases, but also all those people who had to go to hospital with severe abdominal pain and nausea 
. 
. It's like, we know there's a small risk, but shouldn't we be taking precautions just in case? 
And I'm all for science trying to figure out if our genes can affect how we react to these meds 
. 
. No more reckless weight-loss quests for me, okay? 
its like kinda scary not knowing if its gonna happen or not 
, and I'm still buzzing from all the fresh air and exercise! You know what's crazy? How some people can get so caught up in watching TV marathons on a Sunday that they forget to breathe... 
Like, don't get me wrong, binge-watching is fun, but you need to take breaks too, right? Anyway, back to the news - I'm just glad the MHRA is being proactive about monitoring those weight-loss jabs. I mean, safety first, always! But have you ever tried making your own trail mix with all sorts of nuts and seeds? It's like a little taste adventure every time you make a batch 
17 reported fatalities from pancreatitis?! That's not cool at all... 
my fave brand Wegovy (semaglutide) has been helping me lose weight and I was taking it like every week 
but now I'm gonna be super cautious, lol. 
I just hope the MHRA is on top of this and that they can find out what's causing these issues so we don't have to worry about them anymore 
. I think it's super important for anyone taking these meds to be aware of the symptoms, like stomach pain and nausea, and report them to their doc ASAP 
. Like, 17 people have died from it or something...