Experts are demanding a further look into a popular weight loss jab after 10 people have been reported to die.
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been taking the world by storm, with users experiencing life changing results.
Plenty of celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon with the likes of Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey and Kelly Clarkson openly admitting to taking these types of medication.
However, there have also been some side effects that have been noticed, and hundreds of people reported having problems with their pancreas after taking the drugs.
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Now, a new study has been launched to investigate what the cause of these issues could be and whether there are any genetic factors involved.
Serious side effects of weight loss drugs have been reported
It has been reported that there have been 10 deaths related to taking GLP-1 drugs, although none of these deaths have been confirmed as being directly caused by the jabs themselves.
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Originally released as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, these drugs have since been marketed as weight loss medication due to a side effect they have where the patient feels full.
This is due to a hormone that is mimicked and released to the brain, and causes the person to eat less, resulting in weight loss.
According to a poll by KFF, as of June 2024, around 12% of adults in the US have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, which equates to approximately 31 million people.
This number is growing and over in the UK, the NHS is set to prescribe the medication as treatment for obesity.
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In a statement to Metro, a spokesperson for Lilly, which makes Mounjaro, 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. Adverse events should be reported under the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, but may be caused by other factors, including pre-existing conditions.
“The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) is an uncommon side effect (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people). It also advises patients to talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional before using Mounjaro if they have ever had pancreatitis.
“We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”