GLP-1 drugs have been linked to a spate of illnesses in the UK. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has suggested that several cases of acute pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) may be linked to the drugs. Many patients have been hospitalised from this illness.
A total of 574 cases have been linked to GLP-1 receptor agonists, 10 of which resulted in fatalities, according to data from MHRA’s Yellow Card Biobank.
This comes at a time when the success of GLP-1s is at an all-time high, with some data suggesting that one in eight people in the US have taken the drugs. It is changing the way people eat, with different products appealing to the GLP-1 consumer than those not on the drugs.
In the UK, the country’s National Health Service (NHS) has recently began recommending Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro drug for weight loss.
Yellow Card Biobank has launched a study investigating whether these cases are linked to patients’ genes. It has asked those hospitalised as a result of the illness, if linked to GLP-1s, to submit a saliva sample.
Evidence suggests nearly a third of side-effects to medicines could be prevented by genetic testing, according to Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer.
Acute pancreatitis is linked to GLP-1 medications as a side-effect by the medicines themselves, albeit as an ‘uncommon’ reaction affecting around one in 100 patients.
What is acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes swollen, according to the UK’s NHS. The most common symptoms are severe abdominal pain, nausea, and a high temperature (often 38°C or more of fever).
How has industry responded?
Key manufacturers of GLP-1 drugs have responded to the news.
“Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. Like all medications, side effects can occur and vary from patient to patient. The known risks and benefits of GLP-1 medicines are described in the Summary of Product Characteristics,” Ozempic and Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk said in a statement.
“We recommend that patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional, who can also advise on potential side effects.”
The company went on to stress that it continues to collect safety data for marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with authorities to ensure patient safety. The benefit-risk profile of GLP-1 medicines remains positive, it said, and it welcomes any new research that will improve understanding of such treatments.
Mounjaro and Zepbound maker Eli Lilly also gave a statement. “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines. Adverse events should be reported under the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, but may be caused by other factors, including pre-existing conditions,” the company said.
It points out that Mounjaro’s information leaflet warns patients that acute pancreatitis is an uncommon side effect, and advises them to talk to their doctor about any side effects they’re experiencing and ensure the medicine they’re using is genuine.
Could people be reluctant to take it?
This is not the first time that side effects have been found for GLP-1s. It has previously been linked to outcomes such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as muscle loss accompanying weight loss.
But in this case, it has been linked not only to illness but more than one death, albeit in small numbers.
The food industry should keep a close eye on how this affects consumer uptake. Side effects such as this have the potential to lead to consumer reluctance.
For a drug that is slated to have such a transformative effect on the food industry, this is not unimportant.
