Prescription Drugs and Reports of Side Effects
Reports of side effects and problems linked to weight loss drugs are growing. Issues with pancreatitis, the contraceptive pill as well as vision loss and blood clots are increasingly being recognised as side effects from drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Growing concerns with weight loss drugs
Current estimates put the number of people in the UK taking weight loss drugs at 1.5 million. This number may be higher as some people are obtaining weight loss drugs through unregulated online website or via social media. In June, the NHS approved a mass rollout of the drug Mounjaro to be made available to severely obese people. All this comes as clinicians are increasingly reporting their patients are experiencing various harmful side effects from weight loss drugs.
A patient or clinician can report any adverse reactions to a medication to the Medical and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This agency is responsible for examining the safety data of medications and producing advisory guidance to the public about the use of medical products and devices.
Following recent increases in reports of side effects of weight loss drugs, the MHRA have announced they will launch a study to consider, amongst other things, whether updated advice and guidance on the use of such drugs is needed. Their advice may result in recommendations to update labelling on products, making clearer the likelihood and commonality of experiencing a particular side effect. For example, currently, the risk of suffering pancreatitis from Ozempic is listed as “uncommon”.
Types of Side effects
The types of side effects of taking weight loss drugs can vary. There have been a number of reports of patients who take Mounjaro experiencing issues with their pancreas, specifically acute pancreatitis, a condition causing the pancreas to swell, resulting in severe pain and nausea.
In early June, the MHRA issued an alert following reports of “Ozempic babies”, after initial studies seemed to point to weight loss drugs interfering with the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill, leading to a rise in unintended pregnancies. On the other hand, there are concerns that weight loss drugs might result in increased miscarriages and birth defects. Further evidence is required.
There are also reports of vision loss and blood clots, from those taking Ozempic and Wegovy. In the US, there are a growing number of lawsuits being brought by patients against Ozempic providers, alleging they failed to sufficiently disclose the risks of side effects on the product warning labels.
New studies and research developments
Drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy have been in circulation for many years. Traditionally, these drugs were prescribed in highly specific circumstances, such as the management of sugars for those suffering with diabetes. It is only in the last few years that they have been marketed, advertised and commercialised as weight loss drugs.
As a result, there has been very little research on how such drugs could affect those taking them specifically for weight loss. As new studies emerge, it underlines the importance of healthcare professionals to keep up to date with developments, and ensure any newly realised risks are properly passed on to patients.
Understanding the Impact of Medication
It is extremely important, prior to taking any weight loss drug, to have a conversation with a healthcare professional, so that they can properly explain the impact of the medication and any possible side effects. Informed consent is a principle underlying any clinician-patient relationship. The failure of a clinician to obtain informed consent from a patient prior to dispensing a prescription could give rise to a claim in negligence.
Contact us
If you are experiencing or have experienced any harmful side effects from taking a weight loss drug, or indeed any other medication, it is important to seek help. It could be you were not sufficiently warned about such side effects prior to taking them, either by your clinician or the product’s labelling.
You may want advice on any actions you could take against a manufacturer or clinician. Taylor Hampton are experts in representing clients in both product liability and medical negligence claims. If you are interested in a having a chat to explore options, or have any questions or concerns you would like addressed, please contact us here.
Product liability; medical negligence; Ozempic; Mounjaro; Wegovy; NHS; MHRA; medical negligence and product liability; weight loss drugs; weight loss drug for diabetes