TWENTY deaths in Britain have been linked to weight-loss jabs since 2019, according to official data.
The tragic fatalities were all linked to semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
APTwenty deaths in Britain have been linked to weight-loss jabs since 2019, according to MHRA data[/caption]
None can be confirmed to be directly caused by the drug, but health officials say people who reported them had a “suspicion” it was involved.
Campaigners warned people who use weight-loss drugs they have bought online or without a prescription could be putting their lives on the line.
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, told MailOnline: “The latest generation of powerful new obesity drugs are wonderful when used as recommended.
“Misuse of them by people who buy them either over-the-counter or online simply to lose weight and without a specialist’s prescription, are putting themselves at risk — and that risk could be fatal.
“If you just want to lose a few pounds, either stay on your preferred diet or just don’t eat so much. That will be far safer.”
Semaglutide — the active ingredient in weight-loss drug Wegovy and diabetes med Ozempic — is called a GLP-1 agonist by experts.
This means it mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1, which is normally produced in response to the body detecting nutrients when we eat.
When an overweight patient takes semaglutide, it produces a similar response, making them feel fuller all the time and reducing how much they want to eat as a result.
Studies show the drugs help people lose around 16kg (35lb) in four weeks, but have been linked to some unpleasant side effects.
The deaths were reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s Yellow Card reporting scheme.
Seven deaths were caused by heart problems, one was from an infection or infestation, and another by injury poisoning or procedural complications.
Metabolic and nutrition disorders accounted for one, while neoplasms and psychiatric disorders caused one each.
Eight deaths did not have a specific recorded cause.
An MHRA spokesperson said: “As with all medicines, the safety of these medicines is kept under continual review to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.
“The MHRA will carefully evaluate any emerging evidence from spontaneous reporting and ongoing studies alongside other sources of information and promptly communicate any new advice to healthcare professionals and patients as needed.
“No medicine is completely risk-free, so the decision to start, continue or stop treatment with Wegovy and Ozempic should be made jointly by patients and their doctor, based on the best advice available and their own personal circumstances.
“We ask everyone to report any suspected side effects using our Yellow Card scheme website. Patient safety is our top priority.”
How to lose weight safely
Losing weight should be a long-term commitment to healthier living, rather than any drastic measures.
The NHS tips – which can be adopted slowly – include:
Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion
Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week
Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option
Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour
Cut down on food that’s high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives
Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
Read about:
The five fat loss foundations
The calorie formula for weight loss
The perfect portion sizes for meals to lose weight
Sun Health’s 8-week weight loss kick start plan