GLP-1 weight loss drugs and pancreatitis: What’s the real risk?

Ed Milner | Last update: 7th July 2025

What’s behind the headlines?

GLP-1 weight loss drugs are now being used by an estimated over 500,000 people in the UK (source: BBC News, Dec 2024), and that number is continuing to rise. These medications, like semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), have helped many people lose weight and gain control of their eating habits. But with increased use comes closer monitoring of side effects.

Recent headlines — including this BBC report — have flagged a small number of cases where people taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs experienced acute pancreatitis. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is now looking into these reports as part of its Yellow Card Biobank project.

Let’s be clear: the number of cases is very small. But because pancreatitis can be serious, it’s worth understanding what it is and what symptoms to watch out for.

“This is about transparency and caution — not alarm,” says the SlimrChat team. “If you’re worried, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider. But for most users, the risk is low.”

Read our SlimrChat news post here

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ behind the stomach that helps with digestion and blood sugar control. It can come on suddenly (acute) or develop slowly over time (chronic).

Common symptoms include:

• Severe abdominal pain (often radiating to the back)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Rapid heart rate
• Bloating or tenderness

You can read more at NHS.uk or BUPA Health

Pancreatitis can range from mild to severe, and in rare cases, complications can occur. But it’s also treatable, especially when caught early.

What causes pancreatitis?

The most common causes are:

• Gallstones
• High alcohol intake
• Certain infections or viruses
• Side effects of some medications (very rarely)

The Yellow Card Biobank investigation is looking into whether some people may be genetically more likely to develop pancreatitis when using GLP-1 medications. As of now, there’s no confirmed causal link — just a signal worth watching.

So, are GLP-1 weight loss drugs causing pancreatitis?

According to Lilly, manufacturer of Mounjaro (tirzepatide):

“Mounjaro should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of pancreatitis.”

That’s a safety precaution — not a warning that these medications cause the condition.

A review by Semapen notes that while a small number of users of semaglutide or tirzepatide report pancreatitis, it remains very rare.

“The vast majority of users will never experience this side effect. We’re talking about a handful of cases per thousands of prescriptions.”

What should I do if I’m worried?

• Seek medical advice as soon as possible if you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or any other worrying symptoms
• Do not make changes to your medication without speaking to your doctor or healthcare provider
• If you’ve had pancreatitis before, flag this to your provider before starting GLP-1 medications

“There are many causes of pancreatitis and it’s not clear whether semaglutide increases the risk. But we do need to be cautious. If you experience serious stomach pain or vomiting, seek medical help straight away,” says Dr David Garley, a GP with a special interest in weight loss and sleep medicine, from the Better Sleep Clinic.

Final thoughts

Pancreatitis is serious, but rare. If you’re on a GLP-1 weight loss drug and feel well, you likely have nothing to worry about. Just stay aware of your body, talk to your healthcare provider, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

SlimrChat will keep monitoring the story and updating our community as more findings from the Yellow Card Biobank come out.

In the meantime, don’t forget you can share your experiences with the SlimrChat community by clicking ‘Start Chat’ below!