The popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has soared in recent years, revolutionizing how millions of people manage weight loss and Type 2 diabetes. But the same medications making headlines for dramatic transformations are now under fresh scrutiny for a serious—and potentially deadly—side effect.
In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is digging deeper into an alarming link between GLP-1 medications and cases of acute pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
Through its Yellow Card scheme, which collects and monitors reports of adverse reactions to medicines, the MHRA has received nearly 400 reports of pancreas-related issues connected to GLP-1 drugs. While acute pancreatitis can be treated, severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications. So far, at least ten deaths in the UK have been associated with pancreatitis among people using these popular injections.
Pamphlets that accompany GLP-1 drugs warn that acute pancreatitis is considered “uncommon,” affecting roughly one in every 100 users. But given the rising reports, UK regulators say more investigation is needed to understand who is at greatest risk.
“Sometimes genes can influence the side-effects an individual experiences when taking a medicine,” the MHRA told The Guardian, suggesting that genetic screening may one day help predict who might develop this complication.
Pharmaceutical companies behind the blockbuster drugs have responded to the renewed concerns. Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro, stated that “patient safety is Lilly’s top priority” and that they “actively monitor, evaluate and report safety information for all our medicines.”
Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy, echoed that sentiment, saying they “recommend that patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional.” The company added, “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.”
The concern isn’t isolated to the UK. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t announced a formal probe, regulators do already require that GLP-1 prescriptions carry warnings about pancreatitis risk.
Case studies are also emerging. One paper described how a 36-year-old woman in the US developed acute pancreatitis just five weeks after starting semaglutide therapy, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Another study involving over 1,200 hospitalized cases found patients who had recently used GLP-1 receptor agonists were more than twice as likely to develop pancreatitis compared to those who hadn’t. A 2024 analysis also uncovered 6,751 reports of acute pancreatitis tied to GLP-1s over an 18-year span.
Despite the potential risks, doctors and manufacturers still emphasize that the benefits of GLP-1s outweigh the dangers for most patients—especially when used correctly and under medical supervision. As usage grows, regulators and scientists alike say they hope further research can help pinpoint what factors, including genetics, make certain patients more vulnerable to serious side effects.
If you’re taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss or diabetes, experts advise watching for sudden, severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting—all possible signs of pancreatitis—and contacting your doctor immediately if they occur.
With millions relying on these medications worldwide, new investigations like this aim to ensure that life-changing weight-loss results don’t come at too high a cost.
