Researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have conducted a study that brings good news for users of the diabetes drug Ozempic and the weight-management drug Wegovy.
Contrary to earlier concerns, their study shows that semaglutide, a key ingredient in these drugs, does not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
This discovery is particularly significant in light of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) investigation earlier this summer into the potential risks associated with semaglutide.
The chemical, which functions as a glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP1R), is crucial in regulating blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and reducing appetite.
The research team, led by Professor Rong Xu of biomedical informatics, analyzed the electronic health records of nearly 2 million patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
This extensive study, soon to be published in Nature Medicine, found no evidence supporting the EMA’s concerns. Interestingly, the findings suggest that medications containing semaglutide might actually reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The study involved a meticulous examination of a vast dataset of nearly 101 million patients, from which the team selected 2 million individuals based on specific criteria.
This method, as Professor Xu mentioned, was similar to the approach used during the COVID-19 pandemic to track infections and outcomes.
Professor Nathan Berger, a co-author of the study, highlighted the necessity of clinical trials for a comprehensive understanding of semaglutide’s side effects.
However, their current analysis of national data offers valuable insights for patients considering semaglutide use.
The researchers divided the patients into two groups: those with type 2 diabetes were prescribed Ozempic, while those with obesity received Wegovy.
They tracked these patients for six months to monitor instances of suicidal ideation and recurrence, as recorded in their health records.
The study also included an in-depth analysis across different demographics, including age, ethnicity, and gender. Remarkably, they consistently found reductions in the risk of suicidal ideation across all these groups.
When compared to non-GLP1R anti-obesity and anti-diabetes drugs, semaglutide showed a lower risk for both the initial occurrence and recurrence of suicidal thoughts.
Pamela B. Davis, another co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding the potential complications of a drug as popular as semaglutide.
This study reassures that the concerns about it inducing suicidal thoughts are not substantiated in a large and diverse U.S. population, thereby providing much-needed clarity and peace of mind for patients and healthcare providers.
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The research findings can be found in Nature Medicine.
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