London, U.K. — The sudden death of Susan McGowan, who had been described by loved ones as a vibrant and generous person, has sparked discussions about the safety of weight-loss drugs following her recent treatment with a newly approved medication. Her niece recounted the rapid deterioration of McGowan’s health after beginning the medication, underscoring the gravity of her loss.
Previously enjoying good health and not relying on any medication, McGowan had been combating slight overweight, which had never previously caused medical concern. According to her family, she was known for her infectious laughter and exuberant presence, characteristics that made her sudden and severe health decline even more shocking.
Her treatment involved the drug tirzepatide, a medication categorized under GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are known to help patients lose weight by increasing feelings of fullness. This medication had been greenlighted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the U.K. in 2023 for use in weight management and was made available through the National Health Service (NHS) albeit to a limited number of patients due to considerations like cost and availability.
Shortly after beginning her regimen with tirzepatide, McGowan’s health deteriorated dramatically. She was hospitalized after doctors discovered her kidneys were failing. Within days, she lapsed into a coma and subsequently, her organs began to fail, leading to her untimely death.
The MHRA monitors medication effects through its yellow card scheme, which allows both health professionals and the public to report adverse reactions to drugs. From January to May 2024, there have been 208 reports concerning tirzepatide, including 31 considered severe and one other case possibly resulting in a fatality.
Despite its efficacy in weight management, the emerging reports of serious side effects associated with tirzepatide have raised flags about its safety and highlight a need for further scrutiny. Additionally, the public and healthcare providers are increasingly vigilant about reporting incidents to help build a comprehensive assessment of the drug’s risk profile.
With McGowan’s case yet to appear in public data due to the recency of her death, her family hopes that sharing her story will lead to increased awareness and potentially stricter monitoring of the use and effects of new drugs introduced to the market.
The implications of such incidents extend beyond individual patients and their families, prompting a broader discussion about drug safety in the realm of weight management, the adequacy of regulatory oversight, and the essential balance between benefits and risks in pharmacological treatments.