As Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro soar in popularity, the drugs are facing increasing scrutiny by regulators over reports of suicidal thoughts.
Popular Drugs Used for Weight Loss Have Been Under Fire Since July
Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic is approved to treat type 2 diabetes, while the company’s Wegovy is approved for long-term weight management in obese or overweight adults. Mounjaro, a medication from Eli Lilly, is approved for blood sugar control in adults who have diabetes.All three medications are part of a class of drugs, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and have been on regulators’ radar since at least this summer.
An analysis of around 150 cases linked self-injury and suicidal ideation to these drugs soon after patients started taking them. The EMA expects this review to conclude in November.
Suicidal Thoughts: A Recurring Theme with Weight Loss Medications
Wegovy’s label explicitly warns of potentially serious mental health side effects such as depression and suicidal thoughts. Patients are advised to monitor any sudden mood changes, behaviors, and feelings.Novo Nordisk Responds
In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, Novo Nordisk said that patient safety is a top priority for the company and that they take all reports about adverse events from use of their medicines very seriously.The drugmaker noted that GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and liraglutide have been on the market for over a decade, and have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for more than 15 years and obesity for over eight years.
In the U.S., the FDA requires medications for chronic weight management that work on the central nervous system, including Wegovy and Saxenda, to carry a warning about suicidal behavior and ideation, according to Novo Nordisk. “This event had been reported in clinical trials with other weight management products,” the company noted.
What is Suicidal Ideation?
Suicidal ideation, or thoughts related to wanting to kill oneself, are often associated with depression, “but some medications can certainly trigger a depressed mood and even suicidal thoughts,” Dr. Anna K. Costakis, director of psychiatry residency training at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times.It’s reasonable to associate “new or intense” thoughts of suicide with taking a new medication, Dr. Costakis said. “Immediately contacting your physician and discussing coming off the medication as quickly and safely as possible, is recommended,” she added.
For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, first reach out to loved ones who can help keep you safe. If the thoughts are uncontrollable, call 911 or go to the ER, Dr. Costakis noted.
If immediate safety can be ensured, notify your doctor to develop a safety plan and address the problematic medication. Additional resources include the 988 crisis line—which can also be texted—for free support and referrals.