A recent study of an international drug safety database has found that individuals taking semaglutide, a popular medication for diabetes and weight loss, are more likely to report thoughts of suicide compared to those taking other drugs. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed reports from the World Health Organization’s database and found a higher risk of suicidal thoughts among those taking semaglutide.
The study authors discovered 107 reports of patients, out of over 30,500 total, who reported having suicidal thoughts while taking semaglutide. In comparison, only 162 similar reports were found in patients taking liraglutide, a different injected diabetes medication in the same class as semaglutide. The risk of suicidal thoughts was found to be elevated by about 45% in individuals taking semaglutide, with even higher risk observed in those also taking drugs to manage depression and anxiety.
However, experts caution that the evidence presented in the study is limited. Dr. Mahyar Etminan, an expert in drug safety from the University of British Columbia, noted that it is challenging to determine whether it is the drug itself or a mood disorder that is causing the increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Prof. Ian Douglas from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine added that while the study generates theories, it does not prove causation.
In a commentary on the study, Dr. Francesco Salvo and Dr. Jean-Luc Faillie, French drug safety researchers, emphasized the need for caution when prescribing GLP-1 and other appetite suppressants to individuals with a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. They recommend that if patients experience new episodes of depression while on these medications, immediate discontinuation should be considered.
Overall, while the study raises concerns about the potential link between semaglutide and suicidal thoughts, further research is needed to better understand this association. The US Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts across drugs in the same class as semaglutide.