GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, have been under scrutiny for a potential link to increased suicide risk. A new study published in the British Medical Journal, however, adds to the growing body of evidence refuting this association. Researchers at McGill University found no increased risk of suicidality among GLP-1 users compared to those taking other diabetes medications.
This research follows a series of investigations prompted by case reports in 2023 suggesting a possible connection between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal thoughts. Health regulators in the UK, Iceland, and the EU initiated reviews, and the FDA added the potential risk to its safety watchlist. Subsequent studies, however, have consistently failed to corroborate these initial concerns.
The McGill study analyzed medical records of hundreds of thousands of UK residents, comparing individuals taking GLP-1 drugs for diabetes with those using other diabetes medications. The researchers specifically looked for outcomes related to suicidality, encompassing suicidal ideation, self-harm, and completed suicides. Their analysis revealed no elevated risk among GLP-1 users, even in those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions or a history of self-harm.
This finding echoes earlier research. The FDA’s own preliminary investigation found no signal of increased suicide risk, and a separate study suggested that GLP-1 use might be associated with a lower risk of depression and anxiety, both significant risk factors for suicide. A nine-month investigation by the EU also found no link between GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy), and suicide or suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, research suggests semaglutide may be linked to a decreased risk of suicidal ideation.
While it’s challenging to definitively prove the absence of a risk, the accumulated evidence strongly suggests that GLP-1 drugs do not increase the risk of suicide. Although GLP-1 medications have other potential side effects, the current data provides reassurance regarding their psychiatric safety. The McGill researchers conclude that these findings offer comfort concerning the psychiatric safety profile of these drugs.
