Overview
- A new BMJ analysis published this week found that people with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease who started tirzepatide (Mounjaro) had a lower rate of major cardiovascular events at one year, with a roughly 33% lower risk of heart attack versus sitagliptin.
- The study used about 52,971 US insurance‑claims patients and propensity‑score overlap weighting to compare groups but had a median follow‑up near one year and the authors said residual confounding and short follow‑up limit causal claims.
- UK Yellow Card totals reported by multiple outlets show large cumulative counts of adverse reactions to GLP‑1 drugs and more than 150–200 deaths reported in relation to these medicines, with gastrointestinal problems among the most frequent complaints.
- Regulators and manufacturers stress that Yellow Card and similar spontaneous reports signal suspicions rather than proof of causation and they say safety is under continual review.
- Soaring use and drug spending have intensified calls for randomized trials, longer surveillance, stricter prescribing oversight, and clearer safety advice for patients and clinicians.