A preliminary review of side effects from popular diabetes and obesity medications found no link to suicidal thoughts or actions, the US Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.
However, the agency also stated that officials cannot rule out “a small risk” and that they will continue to investigate reports about more than a dozen drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. The FDA advised patients taking the drugs to report any concerns to their healthcare providers.
The review follows a recent federally funded study that found that people taking semaglutide, the medication used in Ozempic and Wegovy, had a lower risk of suicidal ideation than those taking other drugs to treat obesity and diabetes.
The review came after European regulators announced that they were looking into anecdotal reports that people taking semaglutide were considering self-harm.
“Our preliminary evaluation has found no evidence that the use of these medications causes suicidal thoughts or actions,” the FDA report stated.
The agency is reviewing reports on more than a dozen drugs approved since 2005 that are classified as GLP-1 receptor agonists. People with type 2 diabetes benefit from the medications because they help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Some drugs are also used to help people who are obese, or overweight lose weight.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group.
