Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy have quickly become part of the weight-loss conversation in the UK. Touted as game-changers and already used by around 1.5 million people, they’ve been embraced by the NHS and private clinics alike.
But this week, serious safety concerns have come to light. The UK’s medicines regulator, the MHRA, is investigating after hundreds of people taking these drugs reported life-threatening illnesses – including 294 cases of pancreatitis and 10 deaths.
While it hasn’t been proven that the jabs caused the conditions, the scale of reports has raised red flags. Especially as their popularity continues to soar.
Weight loss vs health risk: striking the balance
GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (in Mounjaro) were originally developed to treat diabetes – but their ability to support weight loss made them a sensation.
The results can be impressive. But some users are reporting serious side effects, particularly acute and chronic pancreatitis – a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
Among them is Julie Bishop, 55, who was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis after taking Mounjaro. She told The Independent: “I think it’d help if it was explained to people how important their organs, such as the pancreas, are to the body, and the damage a side effect can really cause.”
Julie says she’d consider using the jab again – but only under the NHS, where there’s clinical oversight. And she’s not alone in thinking these medications shouldn’t be so easy to access online.
Are these drugs being used safely?
That’s a growing concern. GLP-1 jabs are now available on the NHS through referral schemes, and Mounjaro has just been rolled out in GP surgeries as part of a pilot project. But they can also be bought privately, often online – with far less medical supervision.
Dr Simon Cork, a senior lecturer in physiology, explained: “Small percentages in large numbers means an increasing number of people developing these conditions, although they still remain rare.”
In other words, the risk to any one person might be small – but across a population, it starts to add up.
To better understand those risks, the MHRA has launched a new study into whether genetics could make some people more vulnerable to side effects. They’re urging anyone affected to report symptoms via the Yellow Card Biobank, run with Genomics England.
What this means for patients
The truth is, there’s still a lot we don’t know. Research from the University of British Columbia last year found that users of GLP-1 jabs could face a higher risk of severe gastrointestinal issues – including pancreatitis. NICE already lists it as a potential side effect.
For many people, these drugs are safe and effective. But for a small number, the impact can be serious – or possibly even fatal. That’s why it’s so important to monitor side effects and ensure proper medical oversight, especially when people are accessing them privately.
If you’ve been affected, know your rights
If you’ve suffered a serious side effect after taking a weight-loss jab, you might be entitled to compensation.
Register with Join the Claim, and you’ll be the first to know if legal action is launched in the UK. We’ll keep you updated on any developments, including new investigations, potential group claims, and what steps you can take to seek compensation.
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