Ozempic not linked to increase in suicidal thoughts: US study - Video

A recent U.S. federal study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and conducted by Case Western Reserve University reveals that individuals taking the diabetes and obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, containing the active ingredient semaglutide, had a lower risk of suicidal thoughts compared to those on other medications for the same conditions. The analysis involved electronic medical records of over 1.8 million patients prescribed semaglutide or alternative drugs for obesity or diabetes between 2017 and 2022. Individuals on semaglutide exhibited a 49% to 73% lower risk of first-time or recurring suicidal thoughts during a six-month follow-up period. The study's focus was on patients taking semaglutide or other drugs for diabetes or obesity.

Reference: Wang, W., Volkow, N.D., Berger, N.A. et al. Association of semaglutide with risk of suicidal ideation in a real-world cohort. Nat Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02672-2