Medicines Safety Update
Medicines Safety Update: GLP‑1 and Dual GIP/GLP‑1 Agonists
Recent MHRA updates highlight several important safety risks for semaglutide and other GLP‑1 or dual GIP/GLP‑1 receptor agonists:
Advise patients to seek urgent review for any sudden loss of vision or rapidly worsening eyesight.
Acute pancreatitis (including rare reports of necrotising and fatal cases)
Stop treatment immediately if pancreatitis is suspected; do not restart if confirmed.
🔹 Pulmonary aspiration risk during anaesthesia or deep sedation
These medicines delay gastric emptying. Ensure surgical/anaesthetic teams are aware to review and follow peri‑operative guidance.
🔹 Reminder of side effects and increasing misuse
Remind patients of side effects of these medications as indicated e.g. GI side effects, rare serious risks (pancreatitis, gallbladder disease), and ensure prescribing aligns with NHS eligibility.
🔹 Risk of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) when insulin is rapidly reduced
GLP‑1 agents do not replace insulin. Reduce insulin gradually with close glucose monitoring. Perhaps remove this one as specifically for people with diabetes and from 2019
Be mindful that privately prescribed GLP-1s and GLP-1/GIPs receptor agonists may not appear on the patient’s medical history so if a patient presents with any of these symptoms, enquire about GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP use. Please continue reporting suspected adverse effects via the Yellow Card scheme.
