Individuals without previous mental health concerns taking weight loss medication semaglutide did not have a higher risk of depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
The study found that semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication, did not increase risk of depression or suicidal thoughts among people without previous mental health concerns, according to a Sept. 3 news release.
Semaglutide, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is sold under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus to treat Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, another form of the drug, is approved for weight loss. The study was funded by Novo Nordisk.
Thomas Wadden, PhD, the lead author on the study and a professor of psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, said further research is needed on the safety of the drug among people with previous mental health concerns.
People with major depressive disorder, serious mental illness or a history of suicide attempts were not included in clinical trials of semaglutide.
In January, the FDA said a preliminary review did not find evidence that GLP-1 drugs cause suicidal thoughts or actions. The agency said it could not definitively rule out that a small risk could exist, and said it is continuing to look into the issue.
Previous studies have found mixed results on whether a link exists between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal thoughts. One study found that the use of semaglutide may be linked to increased suicidal ideation, especially when used with an antidepressant.