Study of 27,741 Adults Links Weight-Loss Drugs to 2.7-Fold Higher Suicidal Thoughts
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 9
Study of 27,741 Adults Links Weight-Loss Drugs to 2.7-Fold Higher Suicidal Thoughts
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 9
Summary
An observational South Korean study of 27,741 adults found prescription weight-loss drug users reported more depression, counseling, suicidal thoughts and suicide-related behaviors than non-users.
Among the 846 users, depression was 1.9 times more likely, mental-health counseling twice as likely, suicidal thoughts 2.7 times more likely, and suicide attempts 1.7 times more likely.
Weight regain appeared to intensify the association: users who gained weight had 4.2 times higher odds of suicidal ideation, which researchers said may reflect both drug effects and psychological distress tied to failed weight control.
The data, collected from 2013 to 2022, largely covered older anti-obesity drugs used in South Korea rather than newer GLP-1 medicines such as Wegovy or Zepbound, a counselor said.
Researchers and clinicians said the cross-sectional design cannot prove causation and urged baseline mental-health screening and follow-up checks during treatment, while FDA labels for chronic weight-management drugs already warn to monitor mood changes.