UK Warns of Pancreatitis, Deaths Tied to Wegovy, Mounjaro

[lostincalifornia]

Source: Bloomberg News

The UK warned some patients have died of severe inflammation of the pancreas linked to obesity and diabetes drugs such as Eli Lilly & Co.’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk A/S’s Wegovy.

Though the worst cases of pancreatitis were rare, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said Thursday doctors and patients should know some incidents had been particularly severe, as it strengthened its warning over taking the drugs.

The guidance applies to medicines that mimic the GLP-1 gut hormone, like Wegovy, as well as drugs that also imitate a second hormone called GIP. Mounjaro falls in this category. Both already carry similar warnings in the US.

Novo said patients should only take these medications when under the supervision of a health professional who can advise on side effects, and that the benefit-risk profile of GLP-1 medicines remains positive.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-29/uk-warns-of-severe-pancreatitis-deaths-linked-to-wegovy-mounjaro

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The article emphasizes that the cases of severe pancreatitis were rare, and that these drugs should only be used under a doctors supervision.

About 25 million of these drugs have been dispensed, and within that pool, there were 19 deaths and 24 cases of pancreatitis reported.

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. This is not new information

At least not in the US and Canada.

Severe pancreatitis and death are extremely rare side effects of GLP drugs.

[lostincalifornia]

2. This was reported today from the UK, and was a push for strengthened warnings on the GLP1 class drugs, and to

warn that other drugs from the same class should have the same warnings and should be taken only under a physician's supervision.

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. I understand the warning was just issued today in the UK

But it has been known that pancreatitis is a rare side effect of GLP drugs for years.

[lostincalifornia]

6. Yes. Those class of drugs are an amazing breakthrough which extends to more than just obesity.

[KewlKat]

3. I've been taking a GLP/GIP medication, UNDER Dr supervision for 9.5 mths

It's more than just a weight loss drug, it's a metabolic medication.

1. Cardiovascular - improves blood pressure control; Enhanced lipid profiles; Reduced inflammation.

2. Kidney Health - reduces protein in urine; reduces progression; improves renal blood flow & glomerular pressure

3. Liver - reduction in liver fat; significant fibrosis improvement indicators such as decreased MRE stiffness.

4. Neuroprotection and Cognitive Benefits - Possess significant neuroprotective properties with the potential benefits; neuroprotective mechanisms include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; cross the blood brain barrier and enhanced insulin signaling in key brain regions.

5. Cancer Risk Reduction of Obesity related cancers - Slow tumor cell proliferation in some models; promote apoptosis (progammed cell death); improve immune surveillance in the tumor micro environment to prevent tumor growth and try and attach cancer cells early.

6. Anti-inflammatory and Auto Immune Benefits - Exert broad anti-inflammatory effects across multiple organ systems through both direct and indirect mechanisms; Regulate several inflammatory pathways, including cytokine production, oxidative stress, and recruitment of immune cells in various organs.

7. PCOS and Fertility Benefits - PCOS scale go down for women; led to more weight loss; better insulin sensitivity; lower testosterone; more regular periods; higher pregnancy rates.

8. Addiction and Substance Use Disorders - Help treat alcohol and substance use disorders; lower risk of alcohol-related hospitalizations compared to periods when not using them; reduced cravings by 40% over 3 weeks; 40% lower rate of opioid overdose and 50% lower rate of alcohol intoxication.

Some physicians are now prescribing, off label, to help those with LONG COVID.

I have blood tests every 3 mths and monitor pancreatic enzymes and liver function. For me, this medication has been life changing in more than weight loss.

I have multiple autoimmune issues which have been helped thru GREATLY reduced inflammation. My skin on my feet was so bad, that I was unable to walk. Since the first few weeks of taking this, the skin began to clear and is nearly cleared entirely.

I will continue taking this, exercising precaution, but hope it continues to always be available.

[lostincalifornia]

5. Excellent report. It is miracle for most, and should be available to those who need it. There should be no reason

why it is unavailable, except for the insane RFK jr., who hopefully will be gone by the end of trump's term, or if we are lucky and regain control of Congress in the midterms.

[Luciferous]

9. I also have autoimmune issues and

taking these medications has helped immensely.

[evemac]

11. Not only did my A1C number go down

And I am no longer prediabetic after taking it for a year, but it also reduced my chronic lung inflammation and frequent illness due to asthma. I was also about to consider surgery for a pelvic floor prolapse, and that is no longer an issue due to the significant weight loss. The only problem is is that insurance no longer covers this because my A1C numbers went down, so the cost is a whopping 1300 dollars a month.

[KewlKat]

14. Sent you a DM

[lostincalifornia]

17. I believe through certain outlets CVS, GoodRx, etc. you might get it for 500 dollars a month.

Still too expensive, but supposedly it is on the list of drugs that are supposed to be lowered even more.

Check goodRX. You need a prescription, and you don’t go through your insurance which has denied coverage because you said it won’t cover it if your A1C is too low.

[Aussie105]

7. People will keep asking their GP for this group of drugs.

Doing things like lifestyle and diet changes are too hard for most and take too long to show weight reductions.

The attraction of a 'magic bullet' solution is too strong.

[KewlKat]

8. It's the same old blame game...They are fat because they are lazy, don't move from the couch, shove food in their

mouth while not being hungry.........

LIFESTYLE AND DIET CHANGES AREN'T FIXING THE PROBLEM..........IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WILL POWER OR STARVING, ETC........

The ATTRACTION is FINALLY, something helps those of us who HAVE tried as you and other's suggest.

I'm sorry to be blunt, but I and millions like me have heard this ad nauseum and are tired of your argument. FYI, this is NOT a magic bullet. Do you think we just take the medication and the fat disappears?

We have to eat 500 calories BELOW our TDEE , we MUST exercise 3 to 5 times a week, 30 mins at a time and tho we have appetite suppression, WE STILL GET HUNGRY. We just don't eat as much.

Glad you are one of the fortunate people whose body isn't broken...

[lostincalifornia]

10. There are a lot of causes for obesity, and some who like to throw the blame game at the patient, are not only

insensitive by assuming one size fits all, they also don't understand the complexity of the problem.

This would be no different than blaming someone for their hypertension or other afflictions.

Perhaps ignored by some, GLP-1 class of drugs also have been shown to have benefits in other conditions than obesity, from heart conditions to kidney aliments.

[KewlKat]

13. Yes, agree on other uses as I listed them above in another of my posts.

[Delphinus]

12. Thank you

[pnwmom]

18. Did you know that there are obesity genes that cause people to regain weight they've lost?

People with these genes become more efficient at maintaining or increasing weight.

This gene comes in handy in populations that are subjected to famines . . . not so handy in the modern US era.

[NNadir]

15. I started taking Ozempic after attending a scientific conference.

I was looking at the data and considering my own physiological condition and said to myself, "Why am I not taking the drug?"

I called my doctor and said, "Why am I not taking this drug?"

He said, "I don't know, why aren't you? You want it?"

I said, "Yeah."

It's been about a year. I lost about 40 pounds, retreated from prediabetic status, and feel great. As my joints have been unhappy, and by back is arthritic, albeit mildly so, it's improved my life.

I consider it a wonder drug.

[lostincalifornia]

16. It is.