The European Medicines Agency and its risk assessment committee have found no significant evidence linking GLP-1 drugs to suicidal thoughts or self-harm after conducting two large studies based on electronic health records. These findings are consistent with those from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which also concluded there is no statistical association between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal ideation. GLP-1 drugs have been used for about 20 years to treat diabetes and have recently gained popularity for weight loss, with medications like Ozempic and Wegovy becoming widely used.
The studies analyzed by the European Medicines Agency looked at incidents of reported suicidal thoughts among people with diabetes being treated with GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide compared to other non-GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, as well as individuals who were overweight or obese. The committee also considered clinical trials, non-clinical studies, and post-marketing surveillance data before reaching their conclusion that no warnings related to suicide or self-harm ideation need to be added to GLP-1 products’ information. The concerns about suicide and self-harm stemmed from reports by the Icelandic governmental health department in 2023, which reported incidents involving patients taking GLP-1 drugs.
Health experts emphasized the importance of investigating reports of adverse events associated with medications and taking them seriously, especially when it comes to potential complications such as suicide and self-harm. Physicians are advised to continue monitoring the mental state of their patients, as people with obesity or undergoing weight loss treatment may have a higher prevalence of mood disorders. While some studies suggest that GLP1 drugs may improve mood, experts caution that patients complex relationships with food may still result in emotional issues as they lose weight and undergo treatment.
GLP-1 receptor drugs work by releasing an agonist to the brain after a meal that triggers a sense of fullness and slows the emptying of the stomach’s contents, leading to a feeling of satiety. While these medications are generally considered safe when used as directed and under the supervision of a physician, counterfeit or fake versions of GLP-1 drugs should be avoided. Serious adverse events are uncommon, but may occur, such as stomach paralysis. Despite only two drugs, Wegovy and Zepbound, being approved for weight loss, many doctors prescribe GLP-1 receptor drugs “off-label” for patients with overweight or obesity due to their effectiveness in promoting weight loss.
While many people experience weight regain after stopping GLP-1 drugs, recent research suggests that exercising while on this medication can help with healthy weight management. Popular GLP-1 medications for weight management, both approved and off-label, include Ozempic, Rybelsus, Saxenda, Trulicity, and Mounjaro, which have similar ingredients and mechanisms of action to Wegovy and Zepbound. Health experts emphasize that a patient-dependent approach to GLP-1 drugs is important, underscoring the significance of comprehensive care versus obtaining medications through online platforms without medical supervision.
