HomeBlogPatientWeight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know December 17, 2024Blog, Home Feature Patient, Patient New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are looking more closely at possible associations between medications known as GLP-1 drugs (such as Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for diabetes) and mental health. In an analysis of global data that recently captured headlines, researchers found an association between taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and suicidal ideation. And anecdotal reports have suggested some patients are reporting changes in mood, including anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a Healthline article describing what some people are calling “Ozempic personality.” On the other hand, researchers recently published an analysis in JAMA Internal Medicine which concluded that semaglutide did not increase the risk of depression or suicidal ideation. They based their findings on a post-hoc analysis of data from four major clinical trials involving, in total, more than 3,500 patients taking semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly. The clinical trials “provide strong evidence that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduces body weight and improves numerous health complications associated with obesity,” Thomas Wadden, PhD, a professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and lead researcher on the new study, said in a news release. “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.” Those findings mirror what regulators in the United States and Europe have reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that evidence did not support that GLP-1 medications cause suicidal thoughts or actions, and the European Medicines Agency reached the same conclusion. A Patients’ Dilemma If you’re on one of these medications or may be prescribed one, you may be asking yourself the following questions: Is it safe to take? Or are the risks greater than the benefits? Those questions are of interest to more people as prescriptions for GLP-1s continue to rise. According to a survey by KFF (formerly Kaiser Family Foundation) reported in May 2024, 12% of American adults have taken one or more of the medications. Considering how much isn’t yet known about weight-loss medications’ impact on mental health, patients, especially those with mental health conditions, should talk about the potential risk of mental health side effects with their primary care physician and/or psychiatrist, according to medical professionals and researchers who have commented publicly on the findings. Researchers involved in analyses of weight management drugs and mental health have suggested that patients with a mental health condition should exercise caution. “Until further carefully conducted studies have been conducted, caution suggests that patients with a history of significant mental illness talk with both their primary care provider (HCP) and their mental health professional before taking the medication,” Penn’s Dr. Wadden told Newsweek. In addition, “People with obesity should be monitored for mental health concerns so they can receive appropriate support and care,” the researchers noted in the article published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Nora Volkow, MD, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told online publication Everyday Health that patients should be screened for mental health conditions before taking GLP-1 drugs. “It is important for clinicians to continue screening for suicidal ideations and mental health conditions in patients with obesity and diabetes so that proper support can be given to those at risk and harmful health outcomes can be prevented,” Dr. Volkow said. Exclusions in Clinical Trials One reason further study is needed is that clinical trials for semaglutide didn’t include people with known mental health conditions. Novo Nordisk, the company that submitted semaglutide to the FDA for approval, screened patients for mental health. They excluded those with major depressive disorder within the previous two years, as well as those reporting certain other severe or recent mental health conditions, according to the article published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The authors of the study suggest that, while there is data to support that semaglutide was both safe and effective for those taking an antidepressant at their baseline visit, “controlled investigations and continued postmarketing surveillance are needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of [these weight management medications] in people with obesity and major psychopathology.” Also, it’s important to know the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug you’re taking. The study published in JAMA Internal Medicine focused only on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and some other weight management medications. Other approved weight-loss medications include Saxenda, which has liraglutide as its active ingredient, and Zepbound, with tirzepatide as the active ingredient. Authors of the study that found an association between semaglutide and suicidal ideation, did not find the corresponding link in their analysis of liraglutide. The bottom line if you’re taking a weight-management medication: There are many benefits for those with obesity or diabetes, but you should also talk to your physician or mental health professional and pay attention to any changes in your mental well-being. And if you and your clinician are considering medication as part of your treatment plan for your mental health, it may be helpful to discuss use of the GeneSight test with your clinician. The GeneSight test analyzes clinically important genetic variations in your DNA, and the results, along with other clinical and patient specific factors, can be used to help inform your healthcare provider’s treatment decisions for mental health medications. “All patients who are being treated with an anti-obesity medication need to be periodically monitored for changes in mood or symptoms of depression,” Robert Kushner, MD, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University and a co-author of the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, said in a story published by Northwestern Medicine. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more
Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more