The product information for GLP-1s in the UK will now include warnings over their potential links to acute pancreatitis, regulators have announced.
GLP-1s have been linked to a number of side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, blindness, and hair loss.
One of the most serious side effects that has been associated with GLP-1s is acute pancreatitis (swollen pancreas). According to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), 1,296 cases of acute pancreatitis were associated with the drugs between 2007 and October 2025. Of these, 19 were reported as fatal.
Now, UK regulators have announced that product information for GLP-1s, as well as dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, will include warnings over the disease.
A warning has also been issued to doctors to look for potential symptoms of pancreatitis in patients treated with GLP-1s, such as severe abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If they develop these symptoms, patients are advised to seek urgent medical attention.
What this means for food
Despite the immense popularity of GLP-1s, there are some signs that a slowdown could be imminent.
One of the chief reasons that consumers are sceptical of the drugs is the multitude of potential side-effects, such as gastrointestinal troubles and puffy ‘Ozempic face’, the sagging skin and wrinkles sometimes associated with GLP-1s.
As the risk of acute pancreatitis is taken more seriously by authorities, could this increase consumer scepticism towards the drugs? If so, could this in turn lessen the disruption they may have on the food industry?
Industry’s response
In response, a spokesperson for Wegovy and Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk said: “Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. Like all medications, side effects can occur and vary from patient to patient. The known risks and benefits of GLP-1 medicines are described in the Summary of Product Characteristics.
“We recommend that patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional, who can also advise on potential side effects. Although the frequency of acute pancreatitis is uncommon, healthcare professionals should be aware that pancreatitis has been associated with GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, and to stay alert to signs and symptoms in their patients.”
The spokesperson stresses that Novo Nordisk continues to collect safety data, and that it welcomes any new research that will help it understand GLP-1 treatments.
Mounjaro and Zepbound maker Eli Lilly also stressed that its product information warns acute pancreatitis may be a side effect, and that patients should consult a doctor or healthcare professional before using these products if they have ever had the illness.
Want to know more about the impact of GLP-1s on F&B?
Join us at Positive Nutrition, a series of broadcast events spotlighting the innovations and technologies central to the evolution of better-for-you food and drink.
On 5 February 2026, we’ll be hosting a session titled: Global GLP-1 disruption.
Weight-loss jabs are taking the world by storm, reshaping everything from consumer habits to product innovation. Their impact is being felt across regions and across categories, but the effect in one sector isn’t always mirrored in another. From soft drinks to alcohol, confectionery to snacks, we dissect the disruption and ask what’s next.
