London, United Kingdom — Concerns are escalating over the safety of popular weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, as new data indicates a potential 350% rise in reported adverse reactions over the next year. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) shows that if current trends persist, the total number of adverse reactions could reach approximately 7,200 by the end of 2024. This marks a stark increase from just 1,592 reactions reported throughout 2023.
Data currently available covers only the period from January to May of the previous year, during which 2,780 reactions were logged, including 281 classified as serious. Many reported side effects range from severe gastrointestinal issues like stomach paralysis and bowel obstructions to less critical symptoms such as nausea and extreme bloating. These reports, gathered from both healthcare professionals and the public, are yet to be independently confirmed.
The United States has also seen troubling reports tied to these medications, with over 200 deaths associated with Ozempic and similar drugs, although direct links remain unverified. In the UK, health officials have recorded 82 deaths related to these treatments, again without confirmed connections.
Ozempic and Wegovy contain the active ingredient semaglutide, which assists in weight management by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that signals fullness to the brain and reduces appetite. These medications work by slowing digestion and decreasing the liver’s sugar production, leading the body to utilize stored fat for energy. Last November, Mounjaro—another GLP-1 drug—received approval for weight loss and has already been associated with 209 adverse reactions, including one fatal incident.
Among those impacted is Karen Coe, 59, who turned to Mounjaro to manage her type 2 diabetes. After just three days of treatment, Coe experienced severe symptoms, describing the ordeal as feeling “like being ripped open by a knife.” Initially suffering from headaches and dizziness, her condition deteriorated to the point where her husband called for an ambulance after she nearly passed out.
Coe spent the following 24 hours in painful distress, later ending up in the hospital due to massive blood clots. While medical professionals could not establish a direct causality, her case raises urgent questions about the safety of these medications. She now urges others to thoroughly weigh potential side effects before starting treatment, warning of severe reactions linked to these drugs.
In response to growing safety concerns, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, emphasized that patient safety remains their primary concern. The company stated that it closely monitors and evaluates any safety reports related to its medications. They encourage individuals experiencing side effects to consult their healthcare providers to ensure they are receiving authentic medication.
The MHRA also reminds the public that reported adverse reactions have not been definitively proven to be caused by these drugs, and consumers should view such reports with caution.
As more individuals turn to these weight-loss solutions, the escalating number of reported cases raises significant public health concerns. Users are urged to remain vigilant about potential side effects, as the popularity of these drugs continues to grow amidst warnings and calls for further investigation.