Relationship between pancreas problems and Ozempic studied

Around 400 people who used injections to lose weight or treat diabetes reported problems with their pancreas, and UK health authorities have launched a study to understand the effects of the medication used, reports the BBC . The use of drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegory is under investigation.

The package inserts for these drugs — originally developed to treat diabetes — state that pancreatitis is a rare side effect that may affect one in 100 patients. However, more than a quarter of the cases reported so far have occurred in 2025.

The investigation is being led by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in conjunction with Genomics England, which is asking patients who have used these drugs and been hospitalised with symptoms of the disease to contact the Yellow Card system - an official platform for reporting adverse reactions to medicines or vaccines - to detail the side effects and, if they agree, send a saliva sample for genetic analysis.

The aim, according to Alison Cave, the MHRA's director of safety, is to “better predict who is most likely to experience adverse reactions” by using genetic information to identify patients most at risk .

According to the same organization, more than four hundred cases of pancreatitis have been recorded, with 181 of these cases being related to the drug Mounjaro , with five deaths . Wegovy and Ozempic have been associated with 113 cases of pancreatitis and one death .

However, experts have warned that there is no clear evidence of a link between the use of these drugs and the deaths that have occurred, since pancreatitis also occurs in people who do not take drugs containing GLP-1, the hormone produced in the intestinal tract that stimulates the production of insulin.

Matt Brown, professor and scientific director at Genomics England, said: “GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are gaining prominence, but they can have serious side effects.” Many of these effects, he believes, could be avoided with personalized approaches based on a patient’s genetic profile.

Mounjaro's manufacturer, Eli Lilly, has said that patient safety is a priority and that it constantly monitors the safety data of its products . "Adverse effects should be reported to the Yellow Card system, but they may be related to other causes, such as pre-existing conditions," a spokesperson told the same British newspaper. The company also stressed that Mounjaro's information leaflet already warns about the risk of pancreatitis and recommends that users with a history of the condition consult a healthcare professional before using the drug.

Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy, also reiterated its commitment to patient safety. “Like all medicines, side effects can occur and vary from person to person. The known risks and benefits are described in the official product information. We recommend use only for the approved indications and under strict medical supervision ,” the company stressed in a published note.

Both the MHRA and the drug manufacturers have stressed the importance of patients and healthcare professionals continuing to report any adverse reactions to the Yellow Card scheme. The hope is that as genetic research advances, it will be possible to better understand the mechanisms behind adverse reactions and eventually prevent serious cases such as pancreatitis associated with the use of these drugs.