Weight loss jab guidance as 'common mistake' can lead to organ failure

A nurse has raised concerns for the increasing numbers of people using weight loss injections like Mounjaro, highlighting a "common mistake" that could lead to life-threatening organ failure.

Labelled as the "King Kong" of weight loss injections, Mounjaro has been introduced on the NHS as part of the fight against obesity in the UK. However, there's a growing concern that many patients might face severe side effects due to GPs neglecting a vital blood test.

Rachael Joy, a nurse and chief clinical officer at SheMed, warned: "The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening."

She pointed out that straightforward blood tests can reveal underlying health conditions that may render the injections inappropriate, such as liver issues, uncontrolled diabetes, or alarmingly high triglyceride levels - fats in the blood linked to an increased risk of pancreatitis.

Joy cautioned about the dangers of elevated triglycerides: "If someone has really high triglycerides, they may be at higher risk of pancreatitis."

Pancreatitis, which is the inflammation of the pancreas situated behind the stomach, can lead to organ failure and can be deadly in extreme cases. Specialists suggest that high fat levels, along with dehydration and other factors, might heighten the susceptibility of certain individuals , reports the Mirror.

Joy told the Mail: "People with uncontrolled diabetes are also at greater risk of becoming severely dehydrated, which can be very serious. Without a blood test, this could be missed."

The warning has been issued as the UK's drug watchdog investigates the potential genetic predisposition some individuals may have towards adverse reactions from "GLP-1" medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently investigating over 560 cases of pancreatitis associated with these treatments since their introduction, which alarmingly includes 10 fatalities.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA's chief safety officer, highlighted the potential for genetic testing to avert nearly a third of medicinal side effects, stating: "Evidence shows almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with genetic testing."

The NHS already bears an estimated £2.2 billion annual cost due to hospitalisations from adverse drug reactions, which are responsible for one in six hospital admissions.

Although Mounjaro has been praised as a revolutionary treatment for weight loss and blood sugar reduction in type 2 diabetes patients, Ms Joy warns that it is "not a silver bullet" and carries risks of severe side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, and dehydration.

Such extreme dehydration can result in headaches, dizziness, and even seizures or kidney failure in exceptional circumstances if left untreated.

Ms Joy is now calling on health authorities to implement more rigorous safety protocols for prescribing these injections, citing concerns that overworked GPs may not always adhere to necessary precautions.

At SheMed, blood tests are compulsory before greenlighting any patient for treatment, but Ms Joy is apprehensive that this protocol might not be universally enforced.

The MHRA is calling on individuals who experience adverse reactions to report them via its Yellow Card scheme. Genetic screening is being considered as a method to enhance the safety of future prescriptions.

Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer at Genomics England, remarked: "Medicines like GLP-1s can be transformative, but like all treatments, there's a risk of serious side effects. Many adverse reactions may have a genetic cause, and genetic screening could be the key to safer, more personalised treatment."

It is estimated that around 1.5 million people in the UK are using weight loss injections, with a significant number opting for private treatment due to limited NHS availability.

The primary indicator of pancreatitis is intense stomach pain that extends to the back and persists. Those experiencing such symptoms should seek immediate medical care.