The Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said at least 68 patients were admitted to hospitals over their grave symptoms
Ozempic and other weight loss jabs have been linked to ten deaths in the UK. According to experts, there have been around 7,228 reports of illness associated with the drugs, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, according to the medicines watchdog.
The Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency or MHRA said at least 68 patients were admitted to hospitals over their grave symptoms after a particular usage of Wegovy and Ozempic – touted as miracle weight loss jabs designed for managing type 2 diabetes.
Weight loss drugs have life-threatening side effects, say doctors
According to doctors, these reports came just a few months after a doctor publicly warned of potential fatalities due to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), after which a young girl was rushed to hospital with life-threatening symptoms.
However, experts say the reports do not prove that these weight loss jabs are solely responsible for every individual case. But they do highlight cases where suspicion has been raised on GLP-1RAs.
MHRA has suspicions over weight loss jabs, but cautious
MHRA has reiterated that many of the reports of deaths can just be unfortunate coincidences. However, the agency does admit that the drugs have had unpleasant and widespread side effects associated with them.
Last week, the health body instructed doctors to "inform patients about the common and serious side effects associated with GLP-1RAs" and "report cases of misuse". According to official estimates, nearly 50 hospitalizations have been connected to the drugs, with up-to-date numbers following estimating a 48 per cent increase in reports over the past two months.
No unauthorized use of Ozempic, Wegovy permitted
Since the findings of deaths and hospitalizations came to light, MHRA has reiterated that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy should not be used for unauthorized indications like aesthetic weight loss.
It has also warned of a potential black market for the drugs issuing advice to patients to make sure they are prescribed by a registered professional.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting had earlier issued a warning that GLP-1RAs are not cosmetic treatments - and should only be used in exceptional circumstances. "Weight-loss drugs have enormous potential. When taken alongside a healthy diet and exercise, they can be game changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health. But these are not cosmetic drugs that should be taken to help get a body beautiful picture for Instagram,” he said. "These are serious medicines and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision.”
Last month, Streeting also defended plans to roll out weight loss jabs among unemployed people to kickstart a major back-to-work drive.
What are GLP-1RAs and how do they work?
According to experts, GLP-1 RAs are well suited for early use in type 2 diabetes, as they stimulate the release of insulin and suppress glucagon secretion only when blood glucose levels are elevated keeping the risk of hypoglycemia low.
As glucose levels decrease, so does the effect of GLP-1 RA on insulin secretion.
Doctors say the drug increases the levels of incretins – hormones – which are naturally produced by the stomach when you eat. It works by helping your body to produce more insulin when needed. It also reduces the amount of glucose, or sugar, produced by the liver, and slows down how quickly food is digested. This all helps to lower blood sugar levels and hbA1c.
This drug can also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
While Ozempic is only prescribed to people who have a Body Mass Index of 35kg/m2 or more and have additional psychological or other medical conditions that are related to obesity, many people are otherwise also taking it.
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