Deaths Linked To Weight Loss Drugs In UK Raise Safety Concern

Of lately weight loss drugs have been making the headlines, not because of the benefits they offer, including curbing alcoholism, chronic kidney diseases, and of course the two given: diabetes and helping with weight loss. The drug is now being linked with dozens of deaths in the UK. The number of people who have died after the consumption of these drugs have not risen to 82. The figures are provided by country's medicine regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The death toll was revealed in association with the use of GLP-1RA receptor agonist drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic, up to January 31.

What Did The Number Reveal?

The toll reported in total of 22 deaths for the people who used the drugs to lose weight. This number is an increase from October, when the deaths were reported to be 10. These figures came from medical reports that record adverse incidents with medicines. However, usage may have been coincidental to a death rather than being responsible for it. There could be an underlying illness too, which is unrelated to using the drug, which has not yet been ruled out.

MHRA notes for 18 deaths with tirxepide, which is commercially sold as Mounjaro, 29 deaths by semaglutide, which is sold as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, and 35 deaths by the single-constituent liraglutide, which is commonly sold as Saxenda or Victoza.

These drugs have recently become popular and thus are also easily accessible. However, what makes it risky is the easy access and the increase of consumption of this drug without prescription, which may lead to lethal consequences. As a result, pharmacy watchdogs are tightening rules around how the drugs are being prescribed. The advertising regulatory too has begun its nine separate investigation into the inappropriate marketing of drugs.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS medical director told The Independent: "Weight loss drugs can have side effects and it is important that they are prescribed by an appropriately trained healthcare professional rather than being obtained online. They’re also not a magic bullet and need to be prescribed alongside programmes that help people live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity.”

What are these drugs used for?

GLP-1RAs have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for over 15 years now, however, it became a popular weight loss drug only around 7 years ago. Salts like tirxepide, semaglutide, and more are a type of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), a drug that mimics a natural hormone which helps to regulate blood sugar. This drug affects the intestinal hormone GLP-1 which is responsible for proper processing of carbohydrates from food. This stimulates insulin release in pancreas and also reduces the feeling of hunger. This also causes food to move slowly from stomach to intestines. It also gives a feeling of fullness for longer, leading to weight loss.

Studies have shown that it can benefit patients with kidney diseases. As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the US alone 1 in 7 adults are experiencing some type of chronic kidney disease, caused by diabetes. These drugs thus lower the risk of kidney failure, dialysis and death from heart related problems too.

Another research led by Shuyao Zang noted the benefits of GLP-1RA medications that perform better in helping slow the progression of kidney disease.