Study Links Weight Loss Medicines to Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

In practice, a new study has linked the employ of prescription weight-loss drugs with higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts, with researchers finding an even stronger association among residents who regained weight after treatment.

Key points

• The participants included 10, 908 men and 16, 833 women.
• While 26, 895 had not employed weight-loss drugs, of the total, 846 participants documented taking medication prescribed by a doctor for weight control during the previous year.
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• After accounting for other factors, researchers discovered that weight-loss medication users had 93% higher odds of depression and 168% higher odds of suicidal thoughts compared with non-users.
• Suicidal thoughts were documented by 9.9% of users compared with 4.5% of non-users.

Researchers at Asan Medical Center in South Korea analyzed data from 27, 741 adults who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2022. The participants included 10, 908 men and 16, 833 women. PMDC Reduces BDS Program Duration.

While 26, 895 had not employed weight-loss drugs, of the total, 846 participants documented taking medication prescribed by a doctor for weight control during the previous year. The study did not distinguish between different types of weight-loss medication.

Notably, the findings indicated that 22.1% of weight-loss drug users noted experiencing depressive feelings for at least two consecutive weeks, compared with 11.4% of individuals who did not apply the medications.

Suicidal thoughts were documented by 9.9% of users compared with 4.5% of non-users. While suicide attempts were documented by 1.7% of users and 0.6% of non-users, meanwhile, 2.2% of users documented making suicide aims compared with 1.4% of non-users.

After accounting for other factors, researchers discovered that weight-loss medication users had 93% higher odds of depression and 168% higher odds of suicidal thoughts compared with non-users. They were additionally around twice as probable to seek counseling for mental health challenges.

Notably, the association was particularly solid among residents who gained weight after using the medication. In this group, the odds of suicidal thoughts were around 4.2 times higher than among individuals who did not apply weight-loss drugs. They additionally had 1.9 times higher odds of depression and 1.8 times higher odds of seeking mental health counseling.

Researchers remarked the rise in depression and suicide-related indicators after weight regain could be linked to a number of factors. These may include feasible neuropsychiatric effects of the medications as well as psychological and social stress associated with unsuccessful weight control or regaining weight after treatment. Study Finds Ozempic May Cut Severe Asthma Attacks.

In practice, the study, titled Association of Weight-Loss Medication Employ and Weight Change with Depression and Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors, was published in the Korean Journal of Family Practice. Nevertheless, the findings show an association and do not establish that weight-loss drugs directly cause depression or suicidal behavior.

Reservations over suicidal thoughts associated with weight-loss drugs have previously prompted reviews by health regulators. The US Food and Drug Administration began investigating reports involving GLP-1 drugs in 2023.

Nevertheless, the FDA stated in January 2026 that a comprehensive review of clinical trials, observational studies, and post-marketing data discovered no climbed risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior associated with GLP-1 drugs. It subsequently asked manufacturers to remove the warning regarding suicidal behavior and ideation from the prescribing information for Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest international news and global stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover.

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For now, study Links Weight Loss Medicines to Depression and Suicidal Thoughts remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.