Semaglutide Study Debunks Mental Health Fears [Video]

Weight loss drugs that use semaglutide—such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro—were not found to be associated with an increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts or suicidal behavior in a recent analysis.

Fears were previously raised about these drugs after some people reported experiencing depressive or suicidal symptoms after taking them.

But when scientists at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed data from four major clinical trials, they found no correlation between taking semaglutide and symptoms of depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.

“Our new analyses provide assurance 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,” said lead author Professor Thomas A. Wadden, a psychology and psychiatry specialist, in a statement.

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are the brand names for weight loss drugs that use glucagon-like petide-1 (GLP-1) analogs such as semaglutide to …