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Weight-loss injections suspected to be linked to hundreds of deaths

Published 10:02 7 Aug 2026 BST

Updated 10:16 7 Aug 2026 BST

Christian Buschardt
Weight-loss injections suspected to be linked to hundreds of deaths 

Homenews

Figures suggest over 200 deaths suspected to being linked to weight-loss shots

The Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received reports of more than 200 deaths that are suspected to be linked to weight-loss injections.

The report also states that around 158,000 ill-reactions are also suspected to be linked to the medication.

120 deaths are reported to be linked to ‘Mounjaro’, a major player in the weight-loss medicine market within the UK.

59 deaths are suspected to be linked to ‘Wegovy’, sharing many active ingredients that can be found in ‘Ozempic’ and ‘Rybelsus’.

Lastly, 37 deaths are suspected to be related to ‘Saxenda’, another weight-loss alternative typically used to treat diabetes. 

The MHRA clarified that adverse reactions and deaths cannot be linked directly to the weight-loss products, stating the report shown to them was ‘suspicious’.

"It is important to place these reports in the context of the millions of GLP-1 prescriptions issued in the UK,” said an MHRA spokesperson.

"Reporting volumes can be influenced by increased use, greater awareness of a potential adverse reaction and other factors.

"As with all medicines, the safety of GLP-1s are kept under continual review including emerging evidence from spontaneous data and scientific publications.

"Any potential updates regarding the safety for these medicines would be promptly communicated to patients and healthcare professionals, and appropriate steps taken to mitigate any identified risk.

"On the basis of the current evidence, the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists outweigh the potential risks when used in line with their authorised uses."

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