Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 22, 2024 3 weeks, 5 hours, 24 minutes ago
Weight Loss News: Recent findings have raised concerns about the safety of popular weight loss medications, particularly those involving glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy and Ozempic). A study published in JAMA Network Open by French researchers highlight a potential link between these drugs and an increased risk of suicidal ideation, especially among users with a history of depression or concurrent antidepressant use.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2822457
The Rise of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
GLP-1 receptor agonists were initially developed as treatments for diabetes, targeting patients who had not responded well to first-line medications like metformin. However, during clinical trials, researchers discovered an additional benefit - these drugs could also act as appetite suppressants. This finding led to the approval of semaglutide for weight loss in patients with obesity or those with overweight and cardiovascular risk factors. The drug quickly became a blockbuster, with prescriptions soaring, particularly among young people and women.
From 2020 to 2023, the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists surged by nearly 600% among younger populations. Social media influencers played a significant role in this trend, promoting the drugs' effectiveness in weight loss and inadvertently pressuring healthcare providers to prescribe them to younger demographics.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-medical-news-americans-willingness-to-pay-high-costs-for-weight-loss-drugs-despite-risks-and-limited-efficacy
Some past
Weight Loss News coverages had also highlighted some major adverse issues with the use of drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy that were being concealed by the Pharma giants.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/pharma-news-lawsuit-alleges-ozempic-and-mounjaro-diabetes-weigh-loss-drugs-cause-severe-stomach-problems-including-gastroparesis-or-stomach-paralysis
Despite their popularity and generally positive results in clinical trials, the rapid increase in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists has prompted concerns about potential side effects, including a possible link to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
The Study and Its Findings
Another recent study by Dr Georgios Schoretsanitis and his colleagues at Northwell Health-New York-USA examined data from patients who had reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) linked to semaglutide and liraglutide, another GLP-1 receptor agonist. Their analysis found that between November 2000 and August 2023, there were 107 reported cases of suicidal or self-injurious behaviors associated with semaglutide and 162 cases linked to liraglutide.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2822453
>
A key finding from the study was the significant disproportionality of semaglutide-associated suicidal ideation, with a reporting odds ratio of 1.45. This risk was even higher among patients who were also using antidepressants or benzodiazepines, with odds ratios of 4.45 and 4.07, respectively. The researchers noted that this association was particularly concerning given that patients with a history of depression or suicidality had been excluded from premarketing clinical trials, potentially underestimating the risk.
While the study did not find a similar signal for liraglutide, the association between semaglutide and suicidal ideation, particularly in patients already taking antidepressants, underscores the need for caution when prescribing these drugs.
Contradictory Evidence and the Need for Further Research
The findings from this study add to a growing body of research exploring the potential psychiatric side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, the evidence is not yet conclusive. Previous studies using pharmacovigilance databases have yielded mixed results. For example, while one study using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's database found an unexpected increase in reports of suicidal ideation and depression linked to semaglutide and liraglutide, another study did not find a significant association.
This inconsistency highlights the challenges of studying rare but severe side effects in large populations. The researchers in the current study employed both frequentist and Bayesian methods, alongside sensitivity analyses, to enhance the reliability of their findings. Despite these rigorous methods, the authors acknowledged that more research is needed to confirm their results and to better understand the potential risks associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Implications for Patients and Healthcare Providers
Given the potential link between semaglutide and suicidal thoughts, healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly to patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already issued recommendations urging caution, advising that any new onset of depression or suicidal ideation in patients using these drugs should prompt immediate discontinuation.
For patients, it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks associated with these medications, especially if they have a history of mental health issues. Regular monitoring and open communication with healthcare providers can help mitigate these risks.
Conclusion
The popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and liraglutide as weight loss aids has brought significant benefits to many patients. However, the potential for rare but severe side effects, such as suicidal ideation, cannot be ignored. As the medical community continues to investigate these risks, caution is advised in prescribing these medications, particularly for individuals with a history of depression or psychiatric disorders. Until more definitive research is available, both patients and healthcare providers must remain vigilant to ensure the safe use of these powerful drugs.
For the latest
Weight Loss News, latest news, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/move-over-ozempic-and-wegovy-fermented-blackberries-the-new-anti-obesity-and-weight-loss-remedy
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/weight-loss-news-psyllium-husk-fiber-might-be-better-and-safer-for-diabetes-and-weight-loss-than-overpriced-designers-drugs-like-ozempic-and-wegovy
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/gymnema-sylvestre-and-berberine-are-effective-natural-alternatives-for-obesity-treatment