A new study published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association* (JAMA) suggests a potential link between Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide drugs—Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus—and suicidal thoughts. The researchers found that, compared to other medications, semaglutide-based drugs were significantly associated with suicidal ideation, especially in patients also using antidepressants.
However, Novo’s earlier-generation GLP-1 drugs, such as Victoza and Saxenda, which are liraglutide-based, were not linked to suicidal thoughts.
The study was based on data from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) database of suspected suicidal and self-injurious adverse drug reactions. It is important to note, however, that the study included patients using off-label GLP-1 medications and did not account for other factors that might impact mental health, such as rapid changes in body weight or BMI. Crucially, the study did not establish a causal relationship between semaglutide-based drugs and suicidal ideation.
Concerns about this potential link first arose last year when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) launched an investigation after one case of self-harm and two cases of suicidal thoughts were reported in Iceland. Following this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began its own investigation after receiving over 200 reports of suicidal thoughts from users of semaglutide or Eli Lilly’s rival drug, tirzepatide.
Both agencies ultimately concluded that these popular diabetes and obesity drugs do not increase psychological risks for patients. Other research, such as a study published in *Nature Medicine*, supported these findings, showing that semaglutide users were less likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to patients on other treatments.
Despite these findings, the study has faced criticism. The independent organization Science Media Centre and several experts have questioned the study’s methodology, particularly its use of statistical disproportionality without establishing causality. Professor Ian Douglas of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine commented, “Signal detection studies in pharmacovigilance databases are good for generating hypotheses, but are not suitable for assessing whether there is a causal association between a drug and an outcome.”
In response, Novo Nordisk issued a statement affirming its confidence in the safety and efficacy of its drugs. The company believes that the current FDA- and EMA-approved product labeling accurately reflects the risks associated with their use and that, when taken under medical supervision, these drugs are safe and effective.
