Latest news with #SheMed
Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Urgent weight loss jab warning as 'common mistake' can lead to organ failure
Around 1.5 million people in the UK are thought to be using weight loss jabs, with many paying privately as NHS supplies remain limited - but some dangerous side effects have been reported A nurse has issued a stark warning to Brits using Mounjaro, claiming a "common mistake" could put them at risk of life-threatening organ failure. Dubbed the "King Kong" of slimming injections, Mounjaro is now available on the NHS to help tackle the UK's obesity crisis. But experts warn thousands of patients may be vulnerable to serious side effects because GPs are failing to carry out one crucial blood test. Rachael Joy, a nurse and chief clinical officer at private healthcare provider SheMed, told Mail Online: "The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening." She explained that simple blood tests could flag up hidden health issues that might make the jabs unsuitable, such as liver problems, uncontrolled diabetes or dangerously high levels of triglycerides - a type of fat in the blood that can raise the risk of pancreatitis. 'If someone has really high triglycerides, they may be at higher risk of pancreatitis,' she warned. Pancreatitis - an inflammation of the pancreas, the organ behind your stomach - can trigger organ failure and even prove fatal in severe cases. Experts believe high fat levels, combined with dehydration and other factors, could make certain people more vulnerable. Ms Joy added: "People with uncontrolled diabetes are also at greater risk of becoming severely dehydrated, which can be very serious. Without a blood test, this could be missed." The warning comes as the UK's medicines regulator investigates whether some people have a genetic trait that increases their risk of dangerous side effects from "GLP-1" drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed it is probing more than 560 reports of pancreatitis linked to the jabs since their launch, including 10 deaths. Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA's chief safety officer, said: 'Evidence shows almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with genetic testing.' Adverse drug reactions already cost the NHS an estimated £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone, and account for one in six hospital admissions. While Mounjaro has been hailed as a game-changer for weight loss and for lowering blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, Ms Joy cautioned it is 'not a silver bullet' and can cause serious side effects, including nausea, diarrhoea and dehydration. Severe dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness and, in rare cases, seizures or kidney failure if untreated. She is now urging healthcare bosses to impose stricter safety guidelines for prescribing the jabs, warning that busy GPs are under huge time pressures. At SheMed, blood tests are mandatory before patients are approved for treatment, but Ms Joy fears this isn't always happening elsewhere. The MHRA is also urging anyone who suffers side effects to report them through its Yellow Card scheme. Genetic screening is being explored as a way to make prescribing safer in future. Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: 'Medicines like GLP-1s can be transformative, but like all treatments, there's a risk of serious side effects. Many adverse reactions may have a genetic cause, and genetic screening could be the key to safer, more personalised treatment.' Around 1.5 million people in the UK are thought to be using weight loss jabs, with many paying privately as NHS supplies remain limited. The main warning sign of pancreatitis is severe stomach pain radiating to the back that doesn't go away. Anyone experiencing this is urged to seek urgent medical attention.
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Mounjaro warning over common prescription mistake that puts thousands of Brits ‘at risk of deadly organ failure'
More than one million Brits are using weight loss jabs including Mounjaro and Wegovy JAB ALERT Mounjaro warning over common prescription mistake that puts thousands of Brits 'at risk of deadly organ failure' BRITS using the fat jab Mounjaro could be at risk of deadly organ failure due to a common mistake, an expert has warned. Branded the 'King Kong' of weight loss injections, Mounjaro can now be prescribed by GPs on the NHS. 2 As millions of Brits turn to fat jabs to shed pounds, one nurse has warned those taking Mounjaro - the strongest of the jabs - that a common mistake could lead to deadly complications Credit: Alamy But while more than three million Brits are thought to be eligible to take tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - only around 220,000 people are likely to get them prescribed on the NHS by 2028. With demand soaring for the 'miracle' drugs that health chiefs hope will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis, thousands of Brits have opted to pay for the jabs privately. Like all medications the weight loss jabs come with the risk of side-effects, ranging from milder symptoms like nausea, diarrhoea and constipation to more severe complications. Among the most dangerous is the potentially life-threatening condition, pancreatitis, which medics say could be avoided with a simple blood test. Rachael Joy, nurse and chief clinical officer at SheMed, a private healthcare provider, told the Mail Online: "The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening. "These blood tests help identify any underlying health issues that need to be managed before a patient starts the programme, or if the treatment is entirely unsuitable." Blood tests can screen for a host of health issues including thyroid problems, uncontrolled pre-diabetes, and high levels of harmful fats called triglycerides in the blood. These come from foods, including butter, oil and fats, certain levels of these fats are needed for good health but high levels increase the risk of heart disease. If someone has really high levels of these fats they may be at risk of pancreatitis, Ms Joy warns. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald There is a relatively high survival rate for pancreatitis but it can trigger organ failure. In a few cases of severe acute pancreatitis the organ can lose its blood supply and turn necrotic. This in turn can cause a deadly sepsis infection and cause other organs to fail. Severe acute pancreatitis can also trigger a systemic inflammatory response which causes other organs, like the lungs and kidneys, to fail. Officials are now looking into whether jab users affected by pancreatitis have a genetic trait that leaves them at greater risk of side-effects. 2 Mounjaro, dubbed the King Kong of weight loss injections, could trigger pancreatitis. Nurse Rachel Joy has warned without regular blood tests to check for the condition, people could be at risk Credit: Alamy Ms Joy has said this could be flagged by a simple blood test. She is urging healthcare professionals, both private and public, to reconsider rolling out the weight loss jabs without strict guidance in place. SheMed have made blood tests a mandatory part of their programme before prescribing the revolutionary jab. The UK medicines regulator launched a probe into the safety of the jab last month after hundreds of patients developed pancreatitis, and ten people died. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it received more than 560 reports of people developing an inflamed pancreas after taking so-called Mounjaro injections since they were launched. The MHRA is now asking for users who are admitted to hospital with pancreatitis to report the side-effect via it's Yellow Card scheme. Healthcare staff can also report the side-effect on a patient's behalf, which involves providing further information and submitting a saliva sample. Researchers hope this will enable doctors to use rapid genetic screening tests before prescribing drugs. It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. Most side effects linked to the Mounjaro are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. But Ms Joy has warned that the weight loss jab can also cause severe dehydration, especially in people with diabetes. It can cause headaches and dizziness and if not treated quickly can lead to seizures and kidney failure and even be fatal.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mounjaro warning over common prescription mistake that puts thousands of Brits ‘at risk of deadly organ failure'
BRITS using the fat jab Mounjaro could be at risk of deadly organ failure due to a common mistake, an expert has warned. Branded the 'King Kong' of weight loss injections, Mounjaro can now be prescribed by GPs on the NHS. 2 But while more than three million Brits are thought to be eligible to take tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - only around 220,000 people are likely to get them prescribed on the NHS by 2028. With demand soaring for the 'miracle' drugs that health chiefs hope will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis, thousands of Brits have opted to pay for the jabs privately. Like all medications the weight loss jabs come with the risk of side-effects, ranging from milder symptoms like nausea, diarrhoea and constipation to more severe complications. Among the most dangerous is the potentially life-threatening condition, pancreatitis, which medics say could be avoided with a simple blood test. Rachael Joy, nurse and chief clinical officer at SheMed, a private healthcare provider, told the Mail Online: "The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening. "These blood tests help identify any underlying health issues that need to be managed before a patient starts the programme, or if the treatment is entirely unsuitable." Blood tests can screen for a host of health issues including thyroid problems, uncontrolled pre-diabetes, and high levels of harmful fats called triglycerides in the blood. These come from foods, including butter, oil and fats, certain levels of these fats are needed for good health but high levels increase the risk of heart disease. If someone has really high levels of these fats they may be at risk of pancreatitis, Ms Joy warns. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald There is a relatively high survival rate for pancreatitis but it can trigger organ failure. In a few cases of severe acute pancreatitis the organ can lose its blood supply and turn necrotic. This in turn can cause a deadly sepsis infection and cause other organs to fail. Severe acute pancreatitis can also trigger a systemic inflammatory response which causes other organs, like the lungs and kidneys, to fail. Officials are now looking into whether jab users affected by pancreatitis have a genetic trait that leaves them at greater risk of side-effects. Ms Joy has said this could be flagged by a simple blood test. She is urging healthcare professionals, both private and public, to reconsider rolling out the weight loss jabs without strict guidance in place. SheMed have made blood tests a mandatory part of their programme before prescribing the revolutionary jab. The UK medicines regulator launched a probe into the safety of the jab last month after hundreds of patients developed pancreatitis, and ten people died. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it received more than 560 reports of people developing an inflamed pancreas after taking so-called Mounjaro injections since they were launched. The MHRA is now asking for users who are admitted to hospital with pancreatitis to report the side-effect via it's Yellow Card scheme. Healthcare staff can also report the side-effect on a patient's behalf, which involves providing further information and submitting a saliva sample. Researchers hope this will enable doctors to use rapid genetic screening tests before prescribing drugs. It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. Most side effects linked to the Mounjaro are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. But Ms Joy has warned that the weight loss jab can also cause severe dehydration, especially in people with diabetes. It can cause headaches and dizziness and if not treated quickly can lead to seizures and kidney failure and even be fatal. What is pancreatitis? INFLAMMATION in the stomach area could lead to the discovery of one of several different illnesses, such as pancreatitis. Many people worldwide experience the symptoms associated with pancreatitis, here's a look at how to identify the unfortunate health condition. Acute pancreatitis means severe inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach that helps with digestion. The most common causes are gallstones and heavy drinking. Acute pancreatitis means that the information eventually disappears, while chronic pancreatitis is permanent. About four in 100,000 people suffer from acute pancreatitis each year in Britain. According to a 2007 study, every year 220,00 people in the US will suffer from acute pancreatitis. The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is abdominal pain, which builds up over the course of a few hours and can last for several days. Patients with pancreatitis may find themselves vomiting or generally feeling unwell. Some report swollen abdomens which are often associated with a high fever. The condition can become life-threatening if the pancreas swells enough to press on other organs - often the heart, lungs, and kidneys. To combat the condition of pancreatitis, there are several methods that medical professionals use to treat it. Antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and pain medication are a few of the approaches experts utilize to fight the condition. If a gallstone is present, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography might be required. If the condition is chronic, a nasogastric tube may be placed in the stomach.
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Mounjaro warning over common prescription mistake that puts thousands of Brits ‘at risk of deadly organ failure'
BRITS using the fat jab Mounjaro could be at risk of deadly organ failure due to a common mistake, an expert has warned. Branded the 'King Kong' of weight loss injections, Mounjaro can now be prescribed by GPs on the NHS. Advertisement 2 As millions of Brits turn to fat jabs to shed pounds, one nurse has warned those taking Mounjaro - the strongest of the jabs - that a common mistake could lead to deadly complications Credit: Alamy But while more than three million Brits are thought to be eligible to take tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - only around 220,000 people are likely to get them prescribed on the NHS by 2028. With demand soaring for the 'miracle' drugs that health chiefs hope will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis, thousands of Brits have opted to pay for the jabs privately. Like all medications the weight loss jabs come with the risk of side-effects, ranging from milder symptoms like nausea, diarrhoea and constipation to more severe complications. Among the most dangerous is the potentially life-threatening condition, Advertisement Read more in Health Rachael Joy, nurse and chief clinical officer at SheMed, a private healthcare provider, told the "These blood tests help identify any underlying health issues that need to be managed before a patient starts the programme, or if the treatment is entirely unsuitable." Blood tests can screen for a host of health issues including thyroid problems, uncontrolled pre-diabetes, and high levels of harmful fats called triglycerides in the blood. These come from foods, including butter, oil and fats, certain levels of these fats are needed for good health but high levels increase the risk of Advertisement Most read in Health If someone has really high levels of these fats they may be at risk of pancreatitis, Ms Joy warns. Pancreatitis is an I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald There is a relatively high survival rate for pancreatitis but it can trigger organ failure. In a few cases of severe acute Advertisement This in turn can cause a deadly sepsis infection and cause other organs to fail. Severe acute Officials are now looking into whether jab users affected by pancreatitis have a genetic trait that leaves them at greater risk of side-effects. 2 Mounjaro, dubbed the King Kong of weight loss injections, could trigger pancreatitis. Nurse Rachel Joy has warned without regular blood tests to check for the condition, people could be at risk Credit: Alamy Advertisement Ms Joy has said this could be flagged by a simple blood test. She is urging SheMed have made blood tests a mandatory part of their programme before prescribing the revolutionary jab. The Advertisement The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it received more than 560 reports of people developing an inflamed pancreas after taking so-called The MHRA is now asking for users who are admitted to hospital with pancreatitis to report the Healthcare staff can also report the side-effect on a patient's behalf, which involves providing further information and submitting a saliva sample. Researchers hope this will enable doctors to use rapid genetic screening tests before prescribing drugs. Advertisement It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. Most side effects linked to the Mounjaro are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. But Ms Joy has warned that the weight loss jab can also cause severe dehydration, especially in people with diabetes. It can cause headaches and dizziness and if not treated quickly can lead to seizures and kidney failure and even be fatal. Advertisement What is pancreatitis? INFLAMMATION in the stomach area could lead to the discovery of one of several different illnesses, such as pancreatitis. Many people worldwide experience the symptoms associated with pancreatitis, here's a look at how to identify the unfortunate Acute pancreatitis means severe inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach that helps with digestion. The most common causes are gallstones and heavy drinking. Acute pancreatitis means that the information eventually disappears, while chronic pancreatitis is permanent. About four in 100,000 people suffer from acute pancreatitis each year in Britain. According to a The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is abdominal pain, which builds up over the course of a few hours and can last for several days. Patients with pancreatitis may find themselves vomiting or generally feeling unwell. Some report swollen abdomens which are often associated with a high fever. The condition can become life-threatening if the pancreas swells enough to press on other organs - often the heart, lungs, and kidneys. To combat the condition of pancreatitis, there are several methods that medical professionals use to treat it. Antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and pain medication are a few of the approaches experts utilize to fight the condition. If a gallstone is present, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography might be required. If the condition is chronic, a nasogastric tube may be placed in the stomach.
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Mounjaro can put patients at risk of fatal organ damage
Mounjaro users are at risk of deadly organ damage. The injections are being prescribed by doctors in an attempt to tackle the obesity crisis and an expert has urged those thinking of getting the jabs to have a blood test to ensure they are not putting their health in grave danger as a result. Rachael Joy, a nurse and chief clinical officer at private healthcare provider SheMed, said: "The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening. "These blood tests help identify any underlying health issues that need to be managed before a patient starts the programme, or if the treatment is entirely unsuitable." Joy explained that patients with pancreatitis and diabetes are at greater risk of side effects from Mounjaro jabs and highlighted how a routine blood test can flag any possible issues. She said: "Sometimes these things are subtle, but can have a massive impact. "We should be putting these patients at the centre and treating obesity like any other clinical health condition."
