Can Ozempic® Cause Depression: Understanding Ozempic® Side Effects
Learn whether Ozempic® can cause depression, what the latest science says about depression and Ozempic®, and read how to effectively manage depression.
- Can Ozempic® Lead to Depression?
- Monitoring your Mental Health While on Semaglutide (Ozempic® or Wegovy):
- Do Other GLP-1 Medications Cause Depression?
Semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy®, has gained popularity due to its effectiveness in treating obesity and promoting long-term weight loss. (1) Nevertheless, like any medication, it can cause side effects. One common question is whether Ozempic® is linked to any mental health side effects like depression. This article explores the relationship between the two and offers practical tips for taking care of your mental health while on Ozempic®.
Can Ozempic® Lead to Depression?
Current research does not conclusively confirm that semaglutide directly causes depression. However, there have been reports of individuals experiencing mood swings and depressive symptoms shortly after starting semaglutide, which resolved with discontinuation of the medication. (2) While not definitive, these instances suggest a possible link that warrants further investigation.
Rising concerns over reports of suicidal ideation associated with the use of semaglutide sparked a large retrospective study that analyzed over 240,000 overweight or obese patients who were prescribed either semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) or a non-GLP-1 medication. When compared to non-GLP-1 anti-obesity medications, semaglutide showed a reduced risk for both incident and recurrent suicidal ideation. (3) They concluded that semaglutide was, therefore, not associated with increased thoughts of suicide.
However, a recent analysis from the World Health Organization global database did find a possible link between those taking semaglutide and suicidal thoughts, particularly among those already on antidepressants. (4)These findings suggest that individuals with anxiety and/or depression may have an increased likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts when taking semaglutide. Of note, the FDA has issued a warning regarding semaglutide to monitor for depression or suicidal thoughts. (5)
These conflicting findings suggest further research is needed for clarification.
Reports of mood changes, feelings of depression, and thoughts of suicide are taken seriously and serve as an impetus for the FDA to further investigate the side effects of the medication. In addition to potential side effects of the medication, the stress of implementing major lifestyle changes coupled with expectations for weight loss could contribute to feelings of depression or hopelessness. It’s important that you feel comfortable sharing any feelings of depression or thoughts of harming yourself with your provider. They will be able to provide the professional help you may need.
Monitoring your Mental Health While on Semaglutide (Ozempic® or Wegovy):
If you have a history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, it’s important to disclose this to your doctor so you can determine whether starting Ozempic® is right for you. If you do decide to go on Ozempic®, stay on top of your mental health with the following strategies:
- Close Monitoring: Regular check-ins with a healthcare provider can help catch early signs of depression. Likewise, meeting with a licensed therapist can provide valuable support, help you process challenges, build resilience, and improve overall well-being.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintaining a balanced diet, proper sleep, and regular exercise regimen can support overall mental health.
- Support Systems: Leveraging support from family, friends, or support groups for those dealing with chronic illnesses can provide emotional resilience.
- Tip: Always communicate openly with your healthcare provider about mood changes or other concerns.
Do Other GLP-1 Medications Cause Depression?
Ozempic® is part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are used to treat type 2 diabetes and, more recently, prescribed off-label to assist in weight loss.
Other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Liraglutide (primary ingredient in Victoza), have been associated with reports of increased suicidal ideation and mood changes. (6) However, direct causative links to depression have not been conclusively established, and the evidence remains conflictive. In fact, in a recent analysis, liraglutide was not found to be correlated with increased suicidal ideation. (4)
Wegovy®, which also uses the primary ingredient semaglutide, has an FDA-issued warning to monitor for signs of depression or suicidal thoughts with the recommendation to discontinue the medication if symptoms develop. (7) Zepbound®, another GLP-1 medication that uses the primary ingredient tirzepatide, has a similar warning issued by the FDA. (8) While there is the possibility of developing such symptoms, not all individuals with a history of mental health will experience a recurrence of or worsening of depression or thoughts of suicide. This is something to be aware of so you can be proactive in managing your health.
Explore other medications here: https://joinmochi.com/medications
In conclusion, while Ozempic® has been associated with reports of mood changes and depressive symptoms, there is no conclusive evidence that the medication directly causes depression. Recent evidence suggests a possible link between semaglutide and suicidal ideation; however, further research is needed for clarification. For anyone prescribed Ozempic® or similar medications, it's essential to monitor any mood changes and discuss them with a healthcare provider. By understanding the potential risks and implementing preventive measures, individuals can better manage their health while minimizing the impact on their mental well-being.
This post was written by our team of health writers for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
This post was written by our team of health writers for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health. Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® and their delivery device are registered trademarks. Mochi Health is a telehealth clinic that offers prescriptions for these products by medical necessity only as determined by a licensed health provider.
Sources
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989–1002. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
- Li JR, Cao J, Wei J, Geng W. Case Report: Semaglutide-associated depression: a report of two cases. Front Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 29;14:1238353. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1238353. PMID: 37706035; PMCID: PMC10495976. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1238353/full
- Wang, W., Volkow, N. D., Berger, N. A., Davis, P. B., Kaelber, D. C., & Xu, R. (2024). Association of semaglutide with risk of suicidal ideation in a real-world cohort. Nature medicine, 30(1), 168–176. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02672-2
- Schoretsanitis G, Weiler S, Barbui C, Raschi E, Gastaldon C. Disproportionality Analysis From World Health Organization Data on Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Suicidality. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2423385. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.23385. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2822453?utm_campaign=articlePDF&utm_medium=articlePDFlink&utm_source=articlePDF&utm_content=jamanetworkopen.2024.23335&utm_source=BulletinHealthCare&utm_medium=email&utm_term=082124&utm_content=MEMBER&utm_campaign=article_alert-morning_rounds_daily&utm_uid=15689092&utm_effort=MRNRD0#google_vignette
- Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Access Data FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
- Neil, P. M., Aroda, V. R., Astrup, A., Kushner, R., Lau, D. C. W., Wadden, T. A., Brett, J., Cancino, A. P., Wilding, J. P. H., & Satiety and Clinical Adiposity - Liraglutide Evidence in individuals with and without diabetes (SCALE) study groups (2017). Neuropsychiatric safety with liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management: Results from randomized controlled phase 2 and 3a trials. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 19(11), 1529–1536. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.12963
- Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Access Data FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
- Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Zepbound® (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Access Data FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/217806s000lbl.pdf