The death of a Scottish nurse who had been taking the drug Mounjaro for weight loss has highlighted the potential dangers from a new generation of medicines that are increasingly being seen as a vital tool in the fight against obesity. The tragedy has spurred consumers to wonder just how dangerous they might be, but perhaps the bigger question is why so many people are managing to buy them online with few checks - and what exactly should we be doing about it? Susan McGowan died on September 4. READ MORE: Obesity in an ageing population 'is biggest issue for the NHS' Wegovy, Ozempic, weight loss - and the future of obesity Junk food crackdown 'would slash obesity by 25 per cent' The Global Wellness Summit bringing longevity science to Scotland According to a report by the BBC on November 8, the 58-year-old's death certificate listed her causes of death as multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis, with “the use of prescribed tirzepatide” - known by the brand name Mounjaro - listed as a contributing factor.
It is the first known death in the UK linked to glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a new class of drug which mimics the action of GLP-1 - a naturally occurring gut hormone which is released after eating. Their effect is to slow the digestion process, reduce cravings and make patients feel fuller. Ozempic and Wegovy also belong to the GLP-1 category.
It is understood that Ms McGowan, who had worked as a nurse at University Hospital Monklands in A.