Blockbuster weight loss jabs relied on by millions of slimmers could raise the risk of panic and anxiety attacks, concerning reports suggest.
The drugs, including Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro, have been hailed a monumental breakthrough in the war on obesity and type 2 diabetes — but some users have suffered severe anxiety and ‘meltdowns’ which they believe are linked to the injections.
At least half a million NHS patients and some 15million in the US are now thought to be using the jabs, which can help patients lose up to 20 per cent of their bodyweight in just a few months.
They have also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
However, side effects are wide-ranging, from nausea and abdominal pain to severe digestive issues and even bone pain.
And scores of patients have taken to Facebook forums to seek help and advice saying the jabs trigger panic attacks and severe anxiety.
One, on Mounjaro — a brand name for tirzepatide— which the NHS is set to offer to thousands over the next three years, wrote on Saturday: ‘I [had to] stop because the anxiety it causes is unlivable.
‘Anxiety to the core… and my endocrinologist confirmed it is treatment related.’
Semaglutide and tirzepatide — the powerful ingredients behind Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro — have long been hailed a monumental breakthrough in the war on obesity and type 2 diabetes
In January, actress and presenter Danielle Mason, told how Mounjaro made her so anxious she nearly called an ambulance because she thought she was going to die
Another wrote yesterday: ‘Has anyone gotten anxiety after a week on the Wegovy?
‘The first week was great, a little nausea but nothing bad, but week two was miserable — tons of nausea and full on anxiety attacks.
‘I have lost 11 lbs so far but now I still experience small anxiety when I get up in the morning.’
Speak to The Sun, a third forum poster said her mental health nosedived after being prescribed Mounjaro.
The 32-year-old, who had her anxiety under control, ended up seeking medical help after experiencing suicidal thoughts.
She said: ‘I had feelings I’ve never had in my life and multiple meltdowns. More and more people are taking this drug, and I seriously believe it’s dangerous.’
In January, actress and presenter Danielle Mason, also detailed how taking Mounjaro had made her so anxious she nearly called an ambulance believing she was going to die.
The 41-year-old sister of EastEnders actress Jessie Wallace, said she began taking the drug over Christmas in a bid to drop a few pounds after being prescribed it by an online doctor.
In a TikTok video seen 190,000 times, she said: ‘On the days I would actually do the jab I would end up with the worst anxiety to the point I wanted to call an ambulance out because I felt like I was going to die’
In a TikTok video seen 190,000 times, she said: ‘On the days I would actually do the jab I would end up with the worst anxiety to the point I wanted to call an ambulance out because I felt like I was going to die.
‘From me taking it as a guinea pig because I wanted to have a go — it was absolutely horrendous. I’ve only just come back to myself now.
In 2023, the UK’s medicines watchdog launched an urgent safety review into Wegovy, Ozempic and similar drugs probing the possible link between the jabs and suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
The review was triggered by reports of more than a dozen patients experiencing such issues after taking the injections.
Suicidal thoughts are already listed as a potential side effect of the jabs in patient information leaflets tucked inside the packaging, but some campaigners have called for clearer warnings.
However, last September, the MHRA dismissed the risk.
A spokesperson for Mounjaro manufacturer Lilly UK today said: ‘We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects.’
Like any medication, the jabs are known to cause side effects that can vary in both frequency and severity.
Other reported problems include constipation, fatigue, stomach pain, headaches and dizziness.
Bizarre symptoms, such as hair loss, have also been reported among some patients.
Doctors have also long told how they are treating increasing numbers of slim women who end up in hospital after falsely telling online chemists they are overweight to pass eligibility checks.
Under official guidelines, only patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 and at least one weight-related health problem like high blood pressure, or those who have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 and meet the criteria for referral to a specialist weight management service, should be prescribed Wegovy.
In the UK, law forbids the sale of such drugs without a prescription from a medical professional.
