The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been looking into weight loss jabs after they were found to have a link to a serious health condition.
Upwards of a million people across the UK are known to use forms of the GLP-1 medication, but it looks like they may have a detrimental health-related side-effect, if new figures are correct.
Officials are looking into a potential genetic trait that may leave individuals more prone to side effects from the drugs, which are also used to treat type two diabetes.
It was reported by the MHRA that hundreds of people have reported the same issue after undergoing courses of the GLP-1 injections following their rise in popularity.
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The overall safety of the weight-loss jabs have now come under question, as a warning has been sent out to all users.
What have experts warned about weight loss jabs?
Health experts at the MHRA have claimed that there may be a link with GLP-1 drugs and inflammation of the pancreas.
While other side-effects have been highlighted by experts in the past, it is suggested that the jabs may have even led to some deaths.
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As it stands, there is no clear evidence that the drugs caused the deaths directly, while it isn't strong enough for the MHRA to restrict access either.
Pancreatitis occurs in people who aren't taking the medication at a rate of around 560 per one million people, with the condition primarily caused by gallstones and alcohol.
But now, the MHRA is working with Genomics England in a study to determine whether users may have specific genetics that could put them at a higher risk of developing pancreatitis if they take GLP-1 drugs.
Which weight loss drugs are involved?
There have been 181 reported cases of acute or chronic pancreatitis linked to Mounjaro, as well as five deaths, while Wegovy and Ozempic have been linked with 113 reports of the condition along with one death.
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Less popular GLP-1 drugs were also reported, as well as numerous other related deaths.
In total, there have been 10 deaths linked to the drugs, as Professor Matt Brown, the chief scientific officer of Genomics England, spoke of the 'serious side-effects' that the drugs can have, much like other medications.
"We believe there is real potential to minimise these, with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause," he stated.
"This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription."
Many hope that this will result in rapid genetic screening tests before prescribing the drugs in an effort to prevent at-risk patients from developing any conditions.
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What is being done following the weight loss drug warning?
Experts are urging people to report any pancreatitis cases through MHRA's 'yellow card' system, where they will be asked to give a saliva sample and a genetics test.
MHRA's chief safety officer, Dr Alison Cave, said that 'almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing', adding that drug reactions cost the NHS over £2.2 billion annually.
The Yellow Card system will help to better predict these reactions, keeping patients as safe as possible while on the medicine.
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"To help us help you, we’re asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme," she urged, highlighting the goal of improving patient safety.
Pancreatitis characteristically causes severe pain in the stomach that can spread to the back without going away, as anyone with the condition has been advised to seek medical help.
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson said to LADbible: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. Like all medications, side effects can occur and vary from patient to patient. The known risks and benefits of GLP1 medicines are described in the Summary of Product Characteristics.
"We recommend that patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional, who can also advise on potential side effects.
"We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. The benefit-risk profile of our GLP-1 medicines remains positive, and we welcome any new research that will improve our understanding of treatments for people living with chronic diseases."
A Lilly spokesperson said in a statement to LADbible: "Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines. Adverse events should be reported under the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, but may be caused by other factors, including pre-existing conditions.
"The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) is an uncommon side effect (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people). It also advises patients to talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional before using Mounjaro if they have ever had pancreatitis.
"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
Joshua Nair