Nurse Dies After Taking Controversial Weight-Loss Drug Tirzepatide
- Susan McGowan, a 58-year-old nurse, died after taking two doses of the weight-loss drug tirzepatide.
- Her death was linked to multiple organ failure, septic shock, and pancreatitis, with tirzepatide noted as a contributing factor.
- The incident has raised concerns about the planned rollout of the medication in the UK, prompting calls for reconsideration.
A 58-year-old nurse from North Lanarkshire, Susan McGowan, passed away on September 4, after taking two doses of tirzepatide, sold under the brand Mounjaro. Her death certificate indicates that she suffered from multiple organ failure, septic shock, and pancreatitis, with the use of prescribed tirzepatide noted as a contributing factor. McGowan had self-prescribed the medication after researching it and consulting with medical professionals. Following her second injection, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain, leading her to seek emergency medical help at University Hospital Monklands, where her colleagues attempted to save her life. The manufacturer, Lilly, emphasized patient safety and ongoing monitoring of the drug, asserting that the benefits outweigh the risks when used as directed. In response to this incident, the UK government is planning to conduct a trial to further assess tirzepatide's efficacy among unemployed individuals, which has raised concerns among McGowan's family about the timing and safety of such a rollout.