Ozempic is a once-a-week GLP-1 analogue designed to improve blood sugar levels. Credit: Natalia Varlei / Shutterstock.com.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a probe into the use of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and as a weight-loss treatment.

The GLP-1 receptor agonists under review comprise Ozempic (semaglutide), which is indicated for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D), and Saxenda (liraglutide), which is used as a weight-loss treatment, Reuters reported.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The review was triggered after cases of alleged suicidal or self-harming thoughts were reported in some patients who took these GLP-1 receptor agonists.

In July 2023, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) began investigating the data on the risk of suicidal and self-harming thoughts linked to the use of Ozempic, Saxenda (liraglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide). 

Wegovy is Novo’s latest obesity treatment and is claimed to have greater effectiveness than Saxenda.

See Also:

Ozempic has not received approval from the MHRA for use as a weight loss treatment, but it is being used off-label in the UK, the new report noted.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Novo Nordisk is said to have received MHRA’s request on its review of alleged suicidal and self-harming thoughts linked to the drugs in late July 2023.

Novo was quoted by the news agency as saying: “The review is ongoing and a response will be provided within the requested timelines.”

The MHRA is also reviewing AstraZeneca‘s Bydureon (exenatide), Sanofi’s lixisenatide and Eli Lilly’s dulaglutide.

AstraZeneca did not respond to a comment request of the news agency while Sanofi and Lilly noted that the companies were aware of the development.

Originally developed to treat T2D, GLP-1 receptor agonists can imitate a gut hormone that can reduce appetite.