Popular weight-loss jabs trigger pancreas problems in some patients
Hundreds of people have reported problems with their pancreas linked to taking weight-loss and diabetes jabs.
This has prompted health officials in Britain to launch a new study into the drugs' side effects.
Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal.
Data from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) shows that since the drugs were licensed, there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines.
This includes: 181 reported cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to tirzepatide, with five deaths.
116 reported reactions of this kind linked to liraglutide, one of which was fatal.
113 cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to semaglutide, one of which was fatal.
101 reported reactions of this kind linked to exenatide, with three deaths.
52 reported reactions of this sort linked to dulaglutide, and
11 reported reactions with lixisenatide.
These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the people who reported them suspected they may be.
Nonetheless, Yellow Card Biobank project, launched by the MHRA and Genomics England, will have researchers examining whether cases of pancreatitis linked to GLP-1 drugs may be influenced by people's genetic make-up.
Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample, which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes.
GLP-1 agonists can lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes and can also be prescribed to support some people with weight loss.
Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in Britain are taking such weight-loss jabs.
Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed that they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects.
Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal, including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea.
And the MHRA recently warned that tirzepatide may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients.
MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing.
'It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS (National Health Service) more than £2.2bil (RM12.7bil) a year in hospital stays alone.
'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions, enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic make-up.
'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme.
'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.'
Genomics England chief scientific officer Prof Dr Matt Brown said: 'GLP-1 medicines like (semaglutide) have been making headlines, but like all medicines, there can be a risk of serious side effects.
'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause.
'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.' – PA Media/dpa
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Popular weight-loss jabs trigger pancreas problems in some patients
GLP-1 medications, which have become popular for helping with weight loss, have been found to have a negative effect on the pancreas (the bottom organ in red) in some patients. — AFP Hundreds of people have reported problems with their pancreas linked to taking weight-loss and diabetes jabs. This has prompted health officials in Britain to launch a new study into the drugs' side effects. Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal. Data from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) shows that since the drugs were licensed, there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines. This includes: 181 reported cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to tirzepatide, with five deaths. 116 reported reactions of this kind linked to liraglutide, one of which was fatal. 113 cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to semaglutide, one of which was fatal. 101 reported reactions of this kind linked to exenatide, with three deaths. 52 reported reactions of this sort linked to dulaglutide, and 11 reported reactions with lixisenatide. These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the people who reported them suspected they may be. Nonetheless, Yellow Card Biobank project, launched by the MHRA and Genomics England, will have researchers examining whether cases of pancreatitis linked to GLP-1 drugs may be influenced by people's genetic make-up. Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample, which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes. GLP-1 agonists can lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes and can also be prescribed to support some people with weight loss. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in Britain are taking such weight-loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed that they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal, including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. And the MHRA recently warned that tirzepatide may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients. MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing. 'It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS (National Health Service) more than £2.2bil (RM12.7bil) a year in hospital stays alone. 'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions, enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic make-up. 'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. 'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.' Genomics England chief scientific officer Prof Dr Matt Brown said: 'GLP-1 medicines like (semaglutide) have been making headlines, but like all medicines, there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.' – PA Media/dpa
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