The UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has updated the warnings for GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist drugs used to treat obesity to reflect a risk of severe acute pancreatitis.
The agency said it has received “rare” reports of necrotizing and fatal pancreatitis associated with these drug classes.
The MHRA recommends that doctors tell patients who are using these medications to seek immediate medical care if they experience persistent abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, as well as nausea and vomiting.
Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1, while Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist. Both drugs are sold under different brand names for type 2 diabetes.
