Ten deaths from pancreatitis in the UK among people who injected drugs against obesity

LondonAt least ten patients have reportedly died in the United Kingdom after suffering from pancreatitis, allegedly as a side effect of so-called anti-obesity injections for weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. According to the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), since the introduction of these appetite-suppressing drugs used to treat both obesity and type 2 diabetes, more than 560 reports of patients with pancreatitis have been received. The information was published this Thursday. The Guardian and The Times, although it is only this second medium that quantifies the number of victims, as well as the number of people affected: no less than 560.

Almost 200 cases are said to be related to Mounjaro, and more than a quarter have been detected by 2025. The MHRA has begun a joint investigation with Genom genetics that increase the risk of suffering serious effects such as pancreatitis when these drugs are administered. The intention is that, in the future, doctors will be able to carry out rapid genetic tests before prescribing these drugs to avoid adverse reactions. According to Dr. Alison Cave, head of safety at the MHRA, about a third of adverse effects could be prevented with genetic testing, which would save the NHS (the public health service of England and Wales) more than 2.2 billion pounds a year. Professor Matt Brown, of Genomics England, adds that many serious reactions have an identifiable genetic cause.

It It is estimated that 1.5 million Britons currently use these drugs., many of which are purchased privately. Severe, persistent pain in the abdomen and back is the main symptom of pancreatitis, and it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention if you experience it. Aside from pancreatitis, they can also cause nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and a reduction in the effectiveness of birth control pills.

Are they as miraculous as they seem?

These supposedly miraculous weight-loss drugs contain GLP-1 agonist gut hormones, which regulate blood sugar, slow stomach emptying, and send satiety signals to the brain. Mounjaro also targets another hormone, GIP, which also contributes to weight control. The combined effect of these substances causes a significant reduction in appetite, but can also alter digestive function and the way the body absorbs nutrients and other medications.

The first warning signs regarding these drugs appeared between 2022 and 2023, coinciding with the rise in their use among personalities in the entertainment world and influencers of social media. Model Lottie Moss, sister of Kate Moss, revealed that she had been hospitalized for increasing her dose of Ozempic too quickly. Robbie Williams explained that he had stopped eating completely and ended up suffering from scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency commonly associated with 17th-century sailors. And British actor and playwright Stephen Fry, despite having lost a lot of weight with Ozempic, abandoned the treatment after suffering from constant vomiting: "I was literally throwing up four or five times a day. I couldn't go on like that."

Accelerated fat loss, combined with poor nutrition, can lead to a gaunt appearance that has been popularly dubbed "Ozempic face" and that also affects other parts of the body (there is even talk of "Ozempic arse", with flat, sagging buttocks). As he stated a few months ago in The Times According to nutritionist Eli Brecher, who specializes in gut health, these visual changes are a direct reflection of a lack of essential nutrients: "It's essential to follow a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, even—and especially—during treatment with these medications."

Another possible side effect is the reduced efficacy they can produce when combined with other drugs. The NHS has warned that the digestive slowdown could reduce the absorption of medications, including cancer treatments. Macmillan Cancer Support, an NGO dedicated to supporting people with the disease, has asked them to consult their doctor before combining them with weight-loss injections. This June, the MHRA reported 40 cases of unwanted pregnancies among women taking the contraceptive pill while using Ozempic or Mounjaro, possibly due to reduced absorption.