Caroline Savage had been privately prescribed Mounjaro for around four months but fell seriously ill shortly after being advised to raise the amount she was taking.

Caroline Savage had increased her dose of a prescribed weight loss drug before her death (Image: Facebook)

An inquest into her death has been examining the extent to which it may be linked to the weight loss drug, which is known to have gastrointestinal side effects.

But the hearing has also been told of concerns from her family - including husband, long-serving South Norfolk district councillor Jeremy Savage - that doctors who treated her in hospital may have been too keen to attribute her symptoms to the drug, rather than investigate them further.

Mrs Savage, who died in October 2024, had been taking Mounjaro to lose weight and ease symptoms associated with lipoedema, the build-up of fat cells in the lower body and arms, and lymphoedema, which causes swelling.

The mother and grandmother from Wortwell, near Harleston, had previously been unsuccessful in losing weight through diet and exercise.

Caroline Savage had started taking a higher dose of weight loss drug Mounjaro before she died (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

She visited a private London clinic in July 2024, when she weighed 128kg and had a body mass index of 46.

Her private prescribing doctor, Dr Harvinder Chahal, said Mrs Savage was warned that possible side effects included abdominal pain and constipation and was advised to drink plenty of water and avoid spicy food and fizzy drinks.

When she was reviewed in October, her weight had fallen to 114kg and she reported feeling well, with no significant side effects.

She was advised to complete the two remaining 7.5mg doses in her existing pen before increasing to 10mg.

Caroline Savage and........

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