By Steven Mew, the Australian Science Media Centre
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There may be a disproportionately high risk of suicidal thoughts among people using the diabetes and weight-loss drug semaglutide, which is sold as the prescription medications called Ozempic and Wegovy, according to an international study in JAMA Network Open.
Semaglutide, which started as a diabetes drug, has in recent years found new popularity, especially on social media, for its off-label use as a weight loss drug and recent research has even linked it to benefits to cardiovascular health and smoking cessation.
In the most recent study, researchers sought to investigate the safety of the drug and adverse drug reactions (ADR). They analysed a World Health Organization (WHO) database of suspected ADRs to compare the rate of semaglutide-related suicidal thoughts with other similar drugs.
According to Professor Margaret Morris from the University of New South Wales, speaking in an AusSMC Expert Reaction, the study found a small increase in suicidal ideation with semaglutide. Similar effects were not observed in the similar diabetes drug, liraglutide.
The use of semaglutide for treating conditions that it was not originally approved for, despite being popular on social media, has raised concerns with experts around potential side-effects.
"The rise in off-label prescribing of these medications is concerning, and there is an urgent need for larger studies to understand any potential risks related to both the patient and the medication itself," Dr Trevor Steward from the University of Melbourne told the AusSMC.
"Major factors to consider include the patient's specific motivations for using the medication, any history of mental health issues, and sociodemographic issues."
According to Dr Steward, the study suggests that there are key questions about what additional precautions are needed when prescribing semaglutide to patients with mental health issues, and if warnings about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts for some people should be included on the medication's labels.
"Given that these medications have become so popular, this study should be seen as a wake-up call on the importance of supporting larger studies that aim to understand how these medications may impact the brain, who they are safe for, and who might be at risk," he said.
Late last year in the UK public warnings were issued about fake or counterfeit semaglutide pens being sold illegally, and the build-up of off-label sale of semaglutide for weight loss means the need for further research into potential side effects is important.
The researchers of the current study say they can't prove using semaglutide causes the higher risk of suicidal thoughts, meaning further research is required.
According to the researchers, it's also unlikely that the risk would outweigh the benefits of the drug for most people, but the link needs to be investigated further so those who may be vulnerable can be appropriately informed of the risks.
You can read the full AusSMC Expert Reaction here.
This article originally appeared in Science Deadline, a weekly newsletter from the AusSMC. You are free to republish this story, in full, with appropriate credit.
Contact: Steven Mew
Phone: +61 8 7120 8666
Email: info@smc.org.au