New Study Finds No Evidence Linking Ozempic and Wegovy to Suicidal Thoughts
A recent large-scale study conducted by researchers has found no evidence to suggest that taking Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic or Wegovy is linked to an increase in suicidal thoughts. Ozempic and Wegovy are both drugs that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and are primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and aiding in weight loss.
The study analyzed electronic medical record data from over 1.8 million patients. Surprisingly, the results indicated a lower risk of new and recurrent suicidal thoughts in patients taking semaglutide compared to those using other medications for weight loss or diabetes. Semaglutide falls under a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, originally developed for type 2 diabetes treatment but also known to trigger a feeling of fullness.
Due to concerns over reports of suicidal ideation linked to semaglutide, regulatory agencies such as the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched investigations. However, this study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Nature, provides reassurance about the safety of these drugs.
The researchers reviewed data on over 240,000 patients prescribed Wegovy or other weight-loss medications, as well as nearly 1.6 million patients with type 2 diabetes prescribed Ozempic or other treatments. Their findings revealed that during the first six months of use, a lower percentage of Wegovy users reported first-time suicidal thoughts compared to users of other weight-loss drugs. Even after accounting for other risk factors, the risk of first-time suicidal thoughts was 73% lower among Wegovy users.
Importantly, no patients in the Wegovy group reported a suicide attempt, whereas 14 users of other weight-loss drugs did. Similar patterns were observed when comparing the use of Ozempic with other diabetes drugs, further supporting the notion that these medications do not increase the risk of suicidal ideation.
Although the study did not assess the statistical significance of differences in actual suicide attempts, the findings were consistent across different demographics. Researchers emphasize the importance of understanding all potential complications of these drugs given their increasing popularity. The study’s results provide reassurance by refuting previous suggestions of a link between the drugs and suicidal thoughts.
Study co-author Pamela Davis stresses that the findings demonstrate that concerns regarding these drugs triggering suicidal thoughts are not supported by the large and diverse population in the U.S. that was examined. This study serves as a significant contribution to the ongoing discussions surrounding the safety and effectiveness of Ozempic and Wegovy for type 2 diabetes management and weight loss.
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