Can Weight Loss Injections Make You Suicidal?

The use of weight-loss injections is common among people concerned about weight gain, but suicidal thoughts and self-harm have now been revealed in users of these injections.

According to the report of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced the review of these injections after the above-mentioned revelations.

After three such cases came to light, the EU member state of Iceland has informed the European Drug Regulator. Following a safety review, the European Medicines Agency has announced that Vigovi, Saxenda, and other similar drugs that help suppress appetite will be considered.

The leaflets of these drugs already list suicidal thoughts as a possible side effect, but adopting suicidal behavior or committing suicide are not listed as possible side effects of these drugs.

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which is conducting the review, will consider whether other treatments in this broad class of drugs, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1 ) receptor agonists also require evaluation.

Initially, however, drug regulators will only assess the risks of using weight-loss drugs that contain either semaglutide or liraglutide.

According to British media, an EMA official said that the reported cases included three cases of suicidal ideation. 

The men used two different drugs, including Saxenda and Ozempic.

 However, suicidal thoughts were reported in one case of Saxenda users and thoughts of self-harm in another.

The EMA says that after receiving reports of these cases, it decided to review these drugs.