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UK regulator reports over 200 deaths linked to GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recorded 216 reports of deaths that are suspected to be linked to GLP‑1 weight‑loss injections such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide). The agency’s Yellow Card scheme also received more than 150,000 reports of adverse reactions, including 106,309 for Mounjaro (120 fatal), 48,148 for Wegovy (59 fatal) and 4,528 for Saxenda (37 fatal).
The MHRA stresses that these reports do not prove that the medicines caused the outcomes; multiple reports can refer to the same case and underlying health conditions may be involved. The regulator notes that millions of GLP‑1 prescriptions have been issued in the UK, with an estimated 7 % of the population having used or considering these drugs. A high‑profile inquest highlighted the death of 73‑year‑old Caroline Savage, who died after increasing her Mounjaro dose, underscoring public concern.
Overall, the data illustrate a substantial volume of safety reports for the popular weight‑loss injections, prompting ongoing assessment by health authorities while reaffirming that the majority of users experience no serious adverse effects.
Entities
BMJ · Caroline Savage · Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · Mounjaro (tirzepatide) · Mounjaro (tirzepatide) · Saxenda (liraglutide) · Sitagliptin · Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) · UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · United Kingdom · Wegovy (semaglutide) · Wegovy (semaglutide)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least 216 deaths in the UK have been linked to weight‑loss drugs Mounjaro and Wegovy. www.dailymail.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The study found a 32% relative reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events for Mounjaro versus sitagliptin. medicaldialogues.in · www.independent.co.uk · www.devonlive.com · www.perthnow.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tirzepatide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events to 2.9% versus 4.4% for sitagliptin in a study of about 53,000 patients. medicaldialogues.in · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Mounjaro reduced the risk of heart attack by 33% compared with sitagliptin. medicaldialogues.in · www.independent.co.uk · www.devonlive.com · www.perthnow.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] No meaningful difference in ischemic stroke risk was observed between tirzepatide and sitagliptin. medicaldialogues.in · www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] UK annual deaths from these drugs rose from 22 to 94 between 2024 and 2025, a 300% increase. www.dailymail.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tirzepatide reduced hospital admissions for infections, preventing one admission per 48 patients treated. medicaldialogues.in · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] One MACE case is prevented for every 70 patients treated with Mounjaro. medicaldialogues.in · www.independent.co.uk · www.devonlive.com · www.perthnow.com.au
- [DISPUTED] For tirzepatide (Mounjaro), 106,189 adverse reactions were reported, including 120 deaths. talker.news · internewscast.com · www.gbnews.com · www.liverpoolecho.co.uk · www.dailymail.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received 216 reports of deaths linked to GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. talker.news · internewscast.com · www.gbnews.com · www.liverpoolecho.co.uk · www.dailymail.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] More than 158,000 adverse reaction reports have been submitted to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme for GLP‑1 drugs. talker.news · internewscast.com · www.gbnews.com · www.liverpoolecho.co.uk · www.dailymail.com · +1 more
- [DISPUTED] For liraglutide (Saxenda), 4,491 adverse reactions were reported, including 37 deaths. talker.news · internewscast.com · www.gbnews.com · www.liverpoolecho.co.uk · www.dailymail.com · +1 more