A recent clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine has provided new insights into the psychiatric safety of semaglutide, a weight loss medication commonly known under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. The research indicates that semaglutide is generally safe for individuals without a significant history of mental health disorders.
Semaglutide has emerged as a promising option for obesity treatment, yet its impact on mental health has remained relatively unexplored. Robert Kushner, MD, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and a co-author of the study, highlighted the importance of psychiatric safety given the mental health challenges often associated with obesity.
“Since 2012, the FDA has mandated that all obesity treatments be evaluated for suicidal ideation or behavior,” explained Kushner. “This requirement arose from past concerns about medications that led to such adverse effects. There is also widespread public concern about the impact of these drugs on mental health and mood.”
The study analyzed data from four international trials involving 3,377 participants with overweight or obesity, who were assessed for mental health before and after one or two years of treatment with weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg or a placebo. The findings revealed no significant change in average depression scores for either group. However, those receiving semaglutide were 37 percent less likely to experience a worsening of depression compared to the placebo group.
Kushner remarked, “Our data suggests that semaglutide is psychiatrically safe for individuals with obesity who do not have a major mental health history. The study allowed us to monitor participants’ mood, depression levels, and suicidal thoughts at regular intervals, showing no increased risk of depression or suicidal ideation with semaglutide compared to placebo. Overall, there was either no change or a slight improvement in depression scores.”
Despite these promising results, Kushner emphasizes the need for further research to evaluate the drug’s effects on individuals with more severe mental health conditions. The current study did not include patients with severe depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
“We can conclude that semaglutide appears safe for those with mild to moderate depression,” Kushner said. “However, we need to investigate its safety for individuals with severe depression or recent suicidal behavior. Ongoing monitoring of mood and depression symptoms is essential for all patients receiving anti-obesity medications.”
Kushner and his team plan to continue their research into the physical and mental impacts of semaglutide. The study was supported by Novo Nordisk.
