Also called acute pancreatitis, inflamed pancreas · Reviewed
Definition:Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. MedlinePlus describes acute pancreatitis as sudden swelling and inflammation, with pain in the upper middle or upper left belly that can spread to the back. GLP-1 and tirzepatide labels list it as a warning and say to stop the drug if it is suspected.
What MedlinePlus says
The pain may be worse within minutes after eating, especially fatty food, then becomes constant and more severe, lasting for days.
Gallstones are the most common cause; alcohol accounts for 17% to 25% of US cases.
Blood tests for amylase and lipase may be raised; lipase is a more specific sign of pancreatitis than amylase.
What the labels say
Pancreatitis on four current US labels
Label
What it says
Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide)
Pancreatitis, including fatal cases, has been seen with GLP-1 drugs; stop if it is suspected
Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide)
Fatal cases have been seen; signs include severe stomach pain that will not go away, sometimes spreading to the back, with or without vomiting
The Ozempic label also reports that amylase rose by a mean of 13% and lipase by 22% from baseline in trials, and lists pancreatitis among postmarketing reports.
Why it matters for your log
The labels tie the warning to severe pain that will not go away. Noting when stomach pain started, how long it lasted and your recent dose changes gives your prescriber a clear timeline.
General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
MedlinePlus describes pain in the upper middle or upper left belly that can spread to the back, may be worse after eating, and becomes constant and severe. Labels for tirzepatide describe severe stomach pain that will not go away, sometimes felt in the back.
What do GLP-1 labels say to do about pancreatitis?+
The Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound labels say the drug is stopped if pancreatitis is suspected.