OZEMPIC and other weight loss jabs have now been linked to ten deaths in the UK.
There have also been 7,228 reports of illness associated with the drugs, citing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, according to the medicines watchdog.
And 68 patients were admitted to hospital over their symptoms, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.
The reports particularly feature Wegovy and Ozempic, a “miracle” weight loss jab originally designed for managing type 2 diabetes.
They come just a few months after a doctor warned of potential fatalities as a result of the drugs, also known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), after that a young girl was rushed to hospital with life-threatening symptoms.
The reports do not prove that the weight loss jabs are solely responsible for every individual case.
But they do highlight that whoever submitted them to the agency, whether patients or healthcare professionals, had a suspicion that GLP-1RAs may have been a factor.
Speaking to trade magazine Chemist and Druggist, the MHRA reiterated that some of these reports may just be unfortunate coincidences.
However, it did admit that the drugs had unpleasant and widespread side effects associated with it.
Last week, it instructed doctors to “inform patients about the common and serious side effects associated with GLP-1RAs” and “report cases of misuse”.
The up-to-date numbers follow last week’s estimate of 46 hospitalisations connected with the drugs, as of August 16.
The agency also estimated a 48 per cent increase in reports over the past two months.
Following the findings, it reiterated that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy should not be used for “unauthorised indications such as aesthetic weight loss”.
It also warned of a potential black market for the drugs, advising patients to make sure they are prescribed by a registered professional.
This followed health secretary Wes Streeting‘s earlier warning that GLP-1RAs are not “cosmetic” treatments – and should only be used in exceptional circumstances.
Mr Streeting, who has also defended the “game changing” potential of the drugs, added: “Weight-loss drugs have enormous potential.
“When taken alongside healthy diet and exercise, they can be game changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health.
“But these are not cosmetic drugs that should be taken to help get a body beautiful picture for Instagram.
“These are serious medicines and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision.
“They’re not a quick fix to lose a few pounds and buying them online without appropriate assessment can put people’s health at risk.
“Drugs approved for weight management should only be used by those tackling obesity, where diet and exercise has been tried first, and where patients are eligible.”
Last month, Mr Streeting defended plans to roll out weight loss jabs among unemployed people to kickstart a major back-to-work drive.
What are they?
Weight loss jabs are a hot media topic at the moment, with hundreds of success stories sharing how they helped them shed the pounds.
In March, the NHS announced it would make Wegovy, a drug made by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, available on prescription to thousands of obese Brits.
It contains the drug semaglutide, which is said to have helped reality star Kim Kardashian and Twitter boss Elon Musk lose weight.
Wegovy, which helped a third of people reduce their weight by 20 per cent in trials, will also be available from pharmacies like Boots.
Meanwhile, pharma company Eli Lilly last month announced results for its own weight loss drug tirzepatide.
The weekly injection helped overweight people drop more than two stone in 18 months.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less calories and therefore lose weight.
To do this, an ingredient found in the fat-busting drug, known as Semaglutide, mimics the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
London GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, said: “Your body naturally produces an appetite regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1.
“These jabs work by regulating your appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.”
Aren’t they diabetes drugs?
Both Wegovy and tirzepatide stem from drugs originally designed to treat diabetes.
Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy, was originally sold under the name Ozempic specifically for diabetes patients.
But they started noticing it helped suppress their appetites, stopping them eating as much and helping them shed the pounds.
So Novo Nordisk developed Wegovy, which contains the same chemical but at higher doses specifically to aid weight loss.
Wegovy is not prescribed for diabetes patients.
Tirzepatide is sold under the name Mounjaro for diabetes.
Can I get them?
Wegovy is offered on prescription to obese adults given specialist weight loss treatment.
The NHS currently also offers a similar drug called Saxenda, or liraglutide.
Both are only available on Tier 3 and Tier 4 weight management services, which means you have to be referred to weight management clinics led by experts.
GPs can’t prescribe them on their own either, Dr Watson said.
The jabs have to be taken as part of an overall programme to help with lifestyle changes and psychological support to get the best effect from the medication prescribed.
But despite being approved for use, the supply of Wegovy on the NHS has been postponed indefinitely because of a surge in worldwide demand.
Supply was also halved in the US because of the skyrocketing demand.
Eli Lilly said it will apply for a UK licence for tirzepatide soon, which could make it available to the NHS.
Are there any risks?
Like all medicines, the jabs do not come without side effects.
Around half of pe
ople taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, thyroid tumours, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
