LONDON, Jan. 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) hastoday (29January 2026)updatedproduct informationforhealthcare professionalsand patientsregardingthe small risk ofsevereacute pancreatitisin patientstakingGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonistsordual GLP-1/ glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1s.

Acute pancreatitis is aknown, butinfrequentside effect oftakingGLP-1s. Insomeextremely rare casesthe complications of acute pancreatitiscan beparticularlysevere.Clinicians and patients areremindedto be alert to initial symptoms such assevere, persistentstomachpain that may radiate to the back and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting

GLP-1s are prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and, for some products, weight management,andcardiovascular risk reductioninindividuals with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or more.Research recently published by University College London estimates that 1.6 million adults in England, Wales and Scotland used GLP-1s,such assemaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro),between early 2024 and early 2025,tolose weight.

While GLP-1s aregenerally consideredsafe and effective fortheir authorised uses,like all medicationstheyare not without risk.Thosetaking GLP-1s should be aware of the symptoms ofseverepancreatitisand seek urgent medical attention if they experience them.

Alison Cave,MHRA's Chief Safety Officersaid:

"Patient safety istheMHRA's top priorityand we continuallymonitorthe safety and efficacy ofall licensed medicines.Forthevastmajority ofpatientswho are prescribedGLP-1s, theyare safe and effective medicines whichdeliver significant health benefits.

"The risk ofdeveloping these severe side effects isvery small,butit is important thatpatients and healthcare professionalsareaware and alertto the associated symptoms.

"If you, or someone you care for, is takingGLP-1sandyou notice symptoms such assevere, persistentstomachpainthat may radiate to the back and may be accompanied bynauseaandvomiting,thenwe advise youspeak to a healthcare professionaland report it via ourYellow Card scheme."

TheYellow Card Biobank, a collaboration between the MHRAandGenomics England,has recruited patients taking GLP-1sto investigate whether the risk ofan inflamed pancreasmay be influenced by an individual's genes.It is hoped this will help to predict which patients may be most at risk of adverse reactions and prescribe the safest medicines accordingly.

Guidanceon potential side effects of GLP-1s,and on the safe and effective use of GLP-1s,is availableon the website.

Notes to editors

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)is responsible forregulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

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 We have today published a Drug Safety Updatefor healthcare professionalsto alert them to the risk of severe cases ofacute pancreatitis

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In the UK between 2007 and October 2025, the MHRA has received 1,296YellowCardreports of pancreatitis associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

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Further information on the University College London research can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/jan/16-million-uk-adults-used-weight-loss-drugs-past-year

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TheYellow Card Biobankis a collaboration between theMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency(MHRA) andGenomics England. The Biobank has recruited participants taking GLP-1 medicines to investigate whether the risk of acute pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) may be influenced by an individual's genes. We hope that 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 makeup.

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Suspected side effects or adverse drug reactions to any medicines should be reported to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.

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For media enquiries, please contact thenewscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.3

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.