A recent study conducted in South Korea suggests a significant association between the use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications and an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The findings, published in the Korean Journal of Family Practice, analyzed mental health data from approximately 27,000 adults over a decade, with 846 participants reporting the use of prescribed weight-loss drugs.
Researchers found that users of these medications had a 93% higher likelihood of experiencing depression and a 168% higher likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts compared to non-users. The study also indicated that the risk of mental health problems among GLP-1 users escalated if they regained weight after starting the medication.
This research emerges as regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have previously reviewed suicide risks associated with these drugs. While the FDA removed suicide warnings from the labels of popular GLP-1 medications, including Wegovy and Zepbound, in January of the current year, citing a lack of established risk based on clinical and real-world data, this new observational study presents a contrasting perspective.
In the study, 22% of weight-loss drug users reported suffering from depression, compared to 11% of non-users. Suicidal thoughts were reported by nearly 10% of users, versus 4.5% of non-users. Furthermore, 2.2% of users had contemplated suicide, against 1.4% of non-users. Counseling for mental health issues was sought by 8.4% of users, compared to 3.4% of non-users.
The study's second phase specifically examined patients who experienced weight regain after being prescribed the drugs. Those who regained between 13 to 22 pounds showed a 65% higher risk of suicidal thoughts. A regain of more than 22 pounds was associated with a 267% higher risk of suicidal thoughts, a 96% higher risk of planning suicide, and a 70% higher risk of seeking mental health counseling. However, weight regain did not correlate with an increased likelihood of depression in the study.
The observational nature of this study means it cannot definitively prove causation, and researchers acknowledge that depression can stem from multiple factors. The study did not specify which GLP-1 medications participants were using, though semaglutide and tirzepatide-based drugs are approved for weight loss in South Korea. Previous research has indicated that patients who discontinue these drugs often regain a significant portion of lost weight within a year.