Data on weight loss jab link to suicidal thoughts needs ‘urgent clarification’

Data that suggests a weight loss jab may be linked to people having suicidal thoughts needs urgent clarification, experts have said. According to a new study, figures from a World Health Organisation (Who) database suggest a bigger proportion of reports about the drug semaglutide (Wegovy) mentioned suicidal thoughts. This is when compared to liraglutide (another weight loss drug, also known as Saxenda).

This was particularly the case among patients who also reported taking antidepressants, the study found. The researchers of the study, published in Jama Network Open, say the findings warrant “urgent clarification”. Writing in the journal, corresponding author Georgios Schoretsanitis, from Zucker Hillside Hospital, USA , and colleagues, said: “This study using the WHO database found a signal of semaglutide-associated suicidal ideation, which warrants urgent clarification.

” There were 30,527 adverse drug reactions to semaglutide reported to the WHO database between November 2000 and August 2023. Of these, 107 (0.35%) were reports of suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

And for liraglutide, there were 162 such reports out of 52, 131 total reports (0.31%). But some academics suggest the evidence of the link between semaglutide and suicidal thoughts is “weak”.

Ian Douglas, professor of pharmacoepdidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , said: “This paper presents, at best, weak evidence of an association between semaglutide and suicidality.” He added.