Ozempic is not associated with suicidal behavior, depression: research

Two new studies have found that the popular weight loss and diabetes drug semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, does not increase the risk of depression and suicide.

But while two doctors who reviewed the study call the results “reassuring,” they say neither study “fully answers the question of whether these drugs are safe for those with pre-existing mental health problems.”

In the first study, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed data from more than 3,300 people who participated in one of four clinical trials of semaglutide and who did not have a serious mental health condition.

Study authors found that 1% or fewer participants reported suicidal ideation or behavior during treatment, with no differences between 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide — the dose for Wegovy — and a placebo.

“The STEP studies provide strong evidence that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduces body weight and improves multiple health complications associated with obesity,” said Thomas Wadden, a professor of psychology in psychiatry and former director of the university’s Center for Weight and Eating Disorders. .

“Our new analyzes provide confidence that the medication, when taken by individuals who are free of significant mental health concerns, does not increase the risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal behavior,” added Wadden, who has received grants and consulting fees from Novo Nordic.

The Danish pharmaceutical giant, which makes Wegovy and Ozempic, funded the study.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved Ozempic in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and Wegovy in 2021 for adult weight loss.

They are part of a class of drugs that mimic the hormone GLP-1 to make people feel full and eat less.

The FDA and the European Medicines Agency recently investigated reports of suicidal thoughts or behavior from GLP-1 users, finding no evidence that these drugs cause it.

Novo Nordisk referenced the FDA and EMA findings in a statement to The Post about the new research — both studies were published Tuesday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The second study found that GLP-1 drugs did not increase the risk of death by suicide among nearly 125,000 adults in Denmark and Sweden.

“These findings are consistent with data collected from our comprehensive clinical trials, including large-scale outcome trials and observational studies,” Novo Nordisk told The Post.

However, a study published last month found that semaglutide users may face a higher risk of suicidal thoughts.

In an editorial accompanying Tuesday’s research, two doctors raised concerns about the exclusion of people with pre-existing mental health problems, such as moderate or severe depression, in the Penn study.

Although more than a third of the patients had a history of psychiatric disorders in the other study, the researchers analyzed only two types of GLP-1 drugs – semaglutide and liraglutide (brand name Victoza). There are others on the market.

JAMA Internal Medicine associate editor Timothy S. Anderson and deputy editor Deborah Grady also noted that participants “may have discontinued GLP-1 medications at the onset of worsening depressive symptoms prior to the development of suicidal ideation.”

As interest grows to see what else GLP-1 drugs can treat, such as substance abuse, Anderson and Grady said “continued vigilance in monitoring mental health symptoms is essential.”

Dr. David M. Pechman, director of bariatric surgery at South Shore University Hospital, is also calling for more research.

“Medical weight loss is being used more and more in our weight loss program and in programs around the world with excellent results in many cases – as doctors we always want to make sure we stick to our oath “First, do no harm,” Pechman said. Post office. “These results are reassuring, however, given the importance of the topic, continued research is certainly indicated.”

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Line at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).