A Link Between Semaglutide and Suicidal Thoughts?

Sold under the brands Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes, and Wegovy for weight loss, these drugs are becoming more common. Therefore, a signal for suicidality in an adverse event database should be explored further.

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH
5 min readAug 21, 2024

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A chain-link fence with three signs that read ‘DON’T GIVE UP,’ ‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE,’ and ‘YOU MATTER,’ surrounded by greenery and trees in a peaceful outdoor setting.
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

First Things First

If you ever have thoughts of suicide, confidential support is available 24/7 at 1–800–273–8255 or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or by dialing 988 from an U.S. based telephone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. WE NEED YOU AROUND.

The Study

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open investigated a potential link between the diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide and suicidal thoughts. (Semaglutide is sold under the brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.) The study is both a simple and complex study, because they looked at data already collected and in a database, but also did a lot of statistical analyses. As a result, a few of my friends — especially those taking the drug — have been asking about it. Here is my summary of the key points:

The researchers analyzed reports of adverse drug reactions in a World Health Organization global database, which collects reports from…

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

DrPH in Epidemiology. Public Health Instructor. Father. Husband. "All around great guy." https://linktr.ee/rene.najera