Fat jab warning as more than 200 deaths linked to Mounjaro and Wegovy and 15,000 Brits suffer serious reactions

OVER 200 deaths linked to the blockbuster weight loss jabs Mounjaro and Wegovy have now been reported. There have also been 15,000 reports of “serious” adverse effects to the fat jabs, drug watchdog data has revealed. Over 100 deaths linked to the blockbuster weight loss jabs Mounjaro and Wegovy have now been reported Credit: Getty There have also been 15,000 reports of “serious” adverse effects to the fat jabs Credit: Alamy What’s more, around 158,000 reports of non-serious adverse side-effects have been filed by patients in the UK using weight-loss medications. According to figures published by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), these reports have been made about all the fat jabs available through the NHS. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! These include liraglutide, also known as Saxenda, semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – and tirzepatide, which is found in Mounjaro. Some 120 deaths have been potentially linked to tirzepatide, 37 to liraglutide and 59 to semaglutide. It must be noted, however, that none of these fatalities are proven to have been caused directly by the game-changing drugs. They could have been caused by underlying or undiagnosed illnesses which are unrelated to the fat jabs. This new data, revealed in an analysis by The Times, came from the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme. The scheme allows relatives of patients, carers and medics to submit concerns over medication and report side-effects that they suspect were caused by fat jabs. Most read in Health More than one report can be made per patient, however, meaning the figures do not always reflect the total number of people experiencing side-effects. Nevertheless, the data showed that there were over 106,000 reports of adverse effects from tirzepatide – also known as Mounjaro – with around 10,000 of them classed as “serious”. For liraglutide, of the roughly 4,400 reports of adverse reactions, 734 were described as serious. And there were 37 reports of a “fatal outcome” linked to the drug. Figures for semaglutide – also known as Wegovy – showed over 48,000 adverse reactions were reported, with 4,800 of them classed as serious. The MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme also reveals the types of side-effects reported from fat jabs. Side-effects from fat jabs are reported on the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme Credit: PA Susan McGowan, 58, passed away in 2024 after taking two low-dose injections of tirzepatide Credit: Facebook For gastrointestinal reactions, tirzepatide had 65,991 reactions, liraglutide had 1,461 and semaglutide had 28,884. An MHRA spokesperson said today: “It is important to place these reports in the context of the millions of GLP-1 prescriptions issued in the UK. “Reporting volumes can be influenced by increased use, greater awareness of a potential adverse reaction and other factors. “As with all medicines, the safety of GLP-1s are kept under continual review including emerging evidence from spontaneous data and scientific publications. “Any potential updates regarding the safety for these medicines would be promptly communicated to patients and healthcare professionals, and appropriate steps taken to mitigate any identified risk. “On the basis of the current evidence, the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists outweigh the potential risks when used in line with their authorised uses.” Health Secretary Yvette Cooper told LBC Radio: “We have a whole system of health safety regulations in place where experts will do monitoring of any adverse impacts, of any safety reports, any concerns that are raised. “And the good thing about the fact that we have a National Health Service means that all of those reports can be collected together – all of them can be monitored. “We ensure that those experts, the expert regulators, are monitoring that at all times and making sure if there are any wider concerns, if there are any issues that need to be raised, then they are brought to the health secretary, to health ministers, as well as to the public, to make sure that safety is always paramount.” The MHRA updated product information for weight loss jabs in January, strengthening warnings to highlight that there is a “small risk of severe acute pancreatitis” from the medicines. It is estimated that around 1.6 million people are using weight loss drugs in the UK. Research by The Sun revealed last week that a fat jab prescription was handed out on the NHS every seven seconds last year. Meanwhile, MHRA data in February showed that serious reactions linked to Mounjaro had increased by over 300 per cent in a single year. It comes after The Sun reported earlier this week that a coroner in Norfolk was examining the extent to which the death of Caroline Savage, 73, may have been linked to her use of Mounjaro. It is estimated that around 1.6 million people are using weight loss drugs in the UK Credit: Getty What are the side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, weight loss jabs may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. The grandmother tragically passed away after developing severe stomach pain following an increase in dose of the weight loss jab, an inquest heard. Caroline’s family, however, raised concerns that doctors too readily attributed her symptoms to side effects of the jab, and potentially, that other causes were not properly investigated. In 2024, it was reported that the death of a Scottish nurse was thought to be the first fatality in the UK linked to a weight loss injection. Susan McGowan, 58, passed away after taking two low-dose injections Mounjaro. Commenting on The Times analysis, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said: “At Novo Nordisk we care deeply about patient safety. Like all medicines, treatments used for chronic conditions can have side-effects, and these can vary from person to person. “That is why medicines should be prescribed by, and used under the supervision of, a healthcare professional, who can consider the potential benefits and risks for each individual. “We recommend that any patient experiencing side-effects while taking GLP-1 RA medicines report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.” And an Eli Lilly spokesperson said: “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. “Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine. “Patients taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide), like with any other prescription medicine, may experience adverse events. Adverse events should be reported under the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.” The drugs should only be taken when prescribed by a medical professional and patients should consult a doctor, they added. The Sun also approached Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk for comment. Comment now