GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs)
Experienced acute pancreatitis while taking GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic or Mounjaro?
Support the Yellow Card Biobank study to help researchers understand how your genes might influence side effects from medicines and make treatments safer for all.
About the study - the Yellow Card Biobank is a collaboration between the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Genomics England which aims to improve our understanding of how a patient’s genetic makeup may increase their risk of experiencing side effects of medications. Doctors and pharmacists will use the results of this research to help prevent patients from experiencing harmful side effects by ensuring patients are prescribed the safest medication for them, based on their genetic makeup. See our press release for more information.
To help the study, report a Yellow Card if you have taken GLP-1 medicines to treat type 2 diabetes or for weight loss, and experienced acute pancreatitis.
Right now, we want to hear from people who have or are taking the drug Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 medicines) to treat type 2 diabetes or for weight loss. You may know these drugs by their brand names, such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, Rybelsus and Mounjaro.
We are looking to recruit individuals across the UK aged 18 or over who were hospitalised with acute pancreatitis after taking a GLP-1 medicine. They may have been prescribed this medicine by their doctor or another healthcare professional or bought it at a pharmacy or online.
Report a Yellow Card and click “Yes” to being contacted by the Yellow Card Biobank team.
See our press release for more information.
How to get involved
If you have had acute pancreatitis, support the Yellow Card Biobank in five easy steps:
Report your potential side effect by filling in a Yellow Card providing your contact details and selecting “Yes” to being contacted by the Biobank team
Get invited if you meet the criteria you will be invited to join the Biobank study by your preferred contact method
Sign up online or by post
Answer some questions about you and your health
Provide a saliva sample using a kit posted to your home
If you have reported a Yellow Card in the past you may be contacted.
If you are a healthcare professional you can help by submitting a Yellow Card report, providing as much information as possible about the patient’s side effect. We may contact you directly to discuss the case further and may ask you to contact the patient on our behalf to ask if they will participate in the Yellow Card Biobank. It will be that patient’s choice to take part in the Biobank.
The Yellow Card Biobank is looking to invite patients aged 18 and over from across the UK, who have been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis within 6 months of taking a GLP-1 medicine, to join the study.
What are GLP-1 medicines?
GLP-1 medicines help people feel fuller by mimicking a natural hormone released after eating, and support weight loss and diabetes management. In the United Kingdom, there are six GLP-1 medicines:
Semaglutide (sold under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Liraglutide (sold under various brand names)
Exenatide (Bydureon and Byetta)
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Lixisenatide (sold under various brand names)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a dual receptor agonist for GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
These medicines have become better known recently because of their use in weight loss or management. However, it’s important to know that not all GLP-1 medicines are licensed for this purpose.
To find out more read the MHRA guidance page.
What is acute pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas, a small organ behind the stomach, becomes inflamed (swollen) over a short period of time. Most people feel better after around a week, but for some, serious complications can develop.
Common symptoms include:
suddenly getting severe pain in the centre of your tummy (abdomen) that does not go away, and may radiate to your back
feeling or being sick
a high temperature of 38°C or more (fever)
More information on acute pancreatitis can be found here. Please seek immediate medical help if you are experiencing these symptoms.
If you have experienced acute pancreatitis while taking GLP-1 medicines in the past, please consider reporting a Yellow Card.
Why the Yellow Card Biobank study is important
Watch our short animation to find out more about the Yellow Card Biobank and how understanding the role genetics play in harmful side effects from certain medications for some people will make medicines even safer.
Visit our Resources Page to access our videos with subtitles in Hindi, Mandarin, Urdu, Bengali, and Welsh.
Spread the word
You can also help and show support by sharing this information and material by e-email and social media or from the MHRA social media channels to help extend and magnify the message: