Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy show no link with suicide, FDA says

A preliminary review of the side effects of popular drugs used to treat diabetes and obesity shows no link to suicidal thoughts or actions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

But the agency also said officials cannot definitively rule out that “a small risk exists” and that they will continue to investigate reports about more than a dozen drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. Patients taking the medications should report any concerns. to healthcare providers, the FDA said.

The review follows a recent federally funded study that found that people taking semaglutide, the drug in Ozempic and Wegovy, had a lower risk of suicidal thoughts than those taking other medications to treat obesity and diabetes. The review came after European regulators said they were investigating anecdotal reports that people taking semaglutide had thoughts of self-harm.

“Our preliminary review found no evidence that use of these medications causes suicidal thoughts or actions,” the FDA report said.

The agency is analyzing reports related to more than a dozen drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists approved since 2005. The drugs help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Some medications are also used to help obese or overweight people shed pounds.

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