MHRA Investigates Possible Link Between GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs and Pancreatitis

As part of the initiative, the MHRA is urging individuals who take a GLP-1 medicine and have been hospitalised due to acute pancreatitis to report their experience.

In a statement published this week, the MHRA said:

“If you take a GLP-1 medicine and have been hospitalised due to acute pancreatitis, the Yellow Card Biobank wants to hear from you. Your DNA sample could help scientists understand whether genetics play a role in the risk of developing this rare side effect” (MHRA press release).

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. Their use has surged in the UK in recent years, with estimates suggesting around 1.5 million people are now taking these medications, many for weight loss.

The MHRA emphasises that while these medicines can be effective and beneficial, they continue to monitor emerging safety data and investigate any patterns that could suggest a risk.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Acute cases require urgent hospital treatment and, if left untreated, can lead to complications or death.

The Yellow Card scheme, which collects and monitors reports of potential side effects from medicines and vaccines, plays a key role in keeping drug safety under review.

The findings from this latest study could help identify whether certain individuals are genetically more at risk and guide safer prescribing in the future. Until then, patients are encouraged to continue their medications as prescribed and speak to their healthcare provider if they have any concerns.

Note to Readers: If you are taking a GLP-1 medicine and have been hospitalised for acute pancreatitis, you can learn more about taking part in the Yellow Card Biobank study on the MHRA’s website.

The new investigation forms part of the Yellow Card Biobank project, a collaboration between the MHRA and Genomics England. This research will look at whether certain people may have a genetic predisposition that makes them more vulnerable to serious side effects while taking GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide (sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro).

As part of the initiative, the MHRA is urging individuals who take a GLP-1 medicine and have been hospitalised due to acute pancreatitis to report their experience.

The UK’s medicines regulator has launched a new study to investigate whether popular weight loss injections could be contributing to serious pancreatic health issues in some patients.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responding to hundreds of reports of pancreatitis, both acute and chronic, in people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medication used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. While not all of these cases are confirmed to be directly caused by the drugs, they were submitted by individuals who believed there could be a connection.

In some rare cases, the reported episodes of pancreatitis have been fatal.

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