# Global safety concerns regarding GLP-1 weight loss drugs

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-safety-concerns-regarding-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs
> Updated: 2026-09-23T07:00:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Health authorities are monitoring a surge in reported adverse reactions and deaths linked to GLP-1 receptor agonists used for weight loss and diabetes, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide.

Initial reports from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) identified 216 suspected deaths and over 158,000 suspected adverse reactions. Tirzepatide was noted for having the highest number of reports, including 120 deaths. The MHRA clarified that these reports do not establish a causal link but serve as a basis for further investigation.

As monitoring expanded globally, additional data emerged from Australia, where the TGA recorded 62 deaths, and Croatia, where HALMED noted 333 suspected side effect reports. In the United States, 216 lawsuits have been consolidated into a federal proceeding concerning alleged vision damage. Specifically, the European Medicines Agency has linked semaglutide to a doubled risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) in type 2 diabetes patients. While gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting remain the most frequent complaints, medical experts are highlighting the risk of permanent vision loss in high-risk groups.

## Claims

- 19 percent of the 288 reports received by HALMED were classified as serious. (disputed by 2 sources)
- HALMED has received 333 reports of suspected side effects for drugs containing semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and tirzepatide since 2014. (disputed)
- Common side effects of these drugs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Semaglutide is associated with a doubled risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) in patients with type 2 diabetes. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The UK's MHRA has received over 150,000 reports of possible side effects and over 150 reported deaths related to weight loss injections. (single source)
- The Australian TGA has recorded 62 deaths and 2,829 reports of adverse reactions related to these medications. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Weight loss drugs linked to serious side effects and vision loss

Global health agencies report rising concerns over side effects from weight loss drugs like semaglutide, including vision impairment (NAION), gastrointestinal issues, and reported deaths in the UK and Australia

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/weight-loss-drugs-linked-to-serious-side-effects-and-vision-loss

### 2026-09-14: UK regulator reports 216 suspected deaths linked to weight loss injections

The UK's MHRA has recorded 216 reported deaths and over 158,000 suspected adverse reactions linked to GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs, though officials note these do not prove causality.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-regulator-reports-216-suspected-deaths-linked-to-weight-loss-injections

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Cite as: Global safety concerns regarding GLP-1 weight loss drugs. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-safety-concerns-regarding-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs