The recent death of Susan McGowan, a 58-year-old nurse from North Lanarkshire, has highlighted potential risks associated with tirzepatide, a weight-loss drug marketed under the name Mounjaro, which was recently approved in the UK. Ms. McGowan passed away shortly after beginning the treatment, making her case one of the first reported fatalities potentially linked to the drug in the country. Her death certificate cites multiple organ failure, septic shock, and pancreatitis as immediate causes, with tirzepatide listed as a contributing factor.Ms. McGowan dedicated more than three decades to her career at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie.
Close friends and family recall her efforts to lose weight over the years, seeing in tirzepatide a promising option. After consulting with her doctor, she obtained a prescription from an online pharmacy and began taking the low-dose injections. However, days after her second dose, Ms. McGowan experienced intense abdominal pain and nausea, leading her to seek emergency care at her workplace. Her colleagues made every effort to save her, but her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away shortly after.
Jade Campbell, Ms. McGowan’s niece, who was by her side in her final days, describes her aunt as a vibrant, generous individual and an essential part of her hospital community. According to Ms. Campbell, doctors initially reported issues with Ms. McGowan’s kidney function, which worsened as she slipped into a coma, her organs ultimately failing. The quick progression of her illness left her loved ones grappling with disbelief.
Tirzepatide belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, designed to curb appetite by helping patients feel full longer. This type of medication, also including drugs like semaglutide (sold as Wegovy and Ozempic), was approved for weight management by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2023. Due to factors like cost and availability, NHS prescriptions are currently limited.
The MHRA operates a Yellow Card scheme, where potential side effects or adverse reactions to drugs can be reported. While public data through May 2024 includes 208 reports concerning tirzepatide—with 31 serious cases and one suspected fatality involving a man in his sixties—Ms. McGowan’s case is not yet included in this data.
Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA’s chief safety officer, extended sympathies to Ms. McGowan’s family and reassured that medications like tirzepatide undergo stringent safety reviews before approval. She emphasized that the MHRA continuously monitors drug safety through various systems, and current evidence still supports the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists for the appropriate patient groups, despite potential risks.
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, issued a statement highlighting its commitment to patient safety. The company affirmed that Mounjaro’s approval was based on a comprehensive assessment of benefits and risks, providing healthcare professionals with detailed safety information to inform prescription decisions.
The safety of weight-loss drugs has sparked debate within the UK, especially following the approval of other GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide. According to public records, 23 suspected deaths linked to semaglutide have been reported since 2019. Nonetheless, health experts generally view these drugs as essential tools for managing obesity. Naveed Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow and chair of the UK government’s obesity mission, acknowledges that although single cases like Ms. McGowan’s can be concerning, large-scale clinical trials demonstrate a favorable safety profile for these medications. He points out that effective weight-loss options have been limited, and drugs like tirzepatide could offer significant benefits to many individuals living with obesity.
In light of rising obesity rates, the UK government recently announced a plan to use tirzepatide to help people return to the workforce. A partnership with the manufacturer will enable a five-year trial involving nearly 250,000 participants across Greater Manchester, providing them access to tirzepatide as part of a strategy to improve health and employment outcomes. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called the jabs “game-changing.”
Despite its potential, Ms. Campbell urges caution, suggesting individuals consider alternative weight-loss approaches before turning to injections like tirzepatide. She believes that government support may lead some to overlook the potential risks and encourages anyone interested in weight-loss treatments to consult with a healthcare provider first.
As tirzepatide enters wider use, both in clinical settings and through private prescriptions, discussions surrounding its safety are expected to continue. This case underscores the importance of monitoring and weighing the risks and benefits as more people turn to medical interventions for weight management.
