Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is feeling very sad or having thoughts of hurting themselves, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to talk to someone who can help, or visit the 988 Lifeline website.
A recent study looked at people taking a medication called semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss. Some people taking this medication reported thinking about hurting themselves more than those taking other drugs. However, other studies have different opinions on whether these medications can cause these feelings.
Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, has been linked to a risk of suicidal thoughts. But experts are still unsure if the medication directly causes these thoughts. People who take antidepressants along with semaglutide might have an increased risk of mood changes.
Experts suggest being cautious when prescribing appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1 to patients with a history of depression. If a patient experiences new feelings of sadness while on the medication, doctors may consider stopping it. It’s important to gather more information to better understand these risks.
Vocabulary List:
- Semaglutide /ˌsɛməˈɡluːtaɪd/ (noun): A medication used for the treatment of diabetes and weight loss.
- Suicidal /ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl/ (adjective): Having thoughts or feelings of wanting to harm oneself.
- Depression /dɪˈprɛʃən/ (noun): A mental health disorder characterized by persistently low mood and loss of interest.
- Antidepressants /ˌæntiˈdɪprɛsənts/ (noun): Medications used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
- Appetite-suppressing /ˈæpɪtaɪt səˈprɛsɪŋ/ (adjective): Referring to substances that reduce the desire to eat.
- Experts /ˈɛkspɜːrts/ (noun): People with specialized knowledge or skill in a particular area.
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