Does Ozempic Cause Depression

Ozempic® (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 medications are increasingly popular for their effectiveness in supporting weight loss goals. 

But some folks on the internet have started asking whether certain weight loss medications could trigger depression or other mental health issues. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been reviewing reports about suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people taking GLP-1s. These reports have been submitted to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

It makes sense that an uptick in people using something would result in an uptick in claims of adverse effects, but it's also important to understand that anyone can submit one of these claims — they are not regulated and can be duplicated. 

While the FDA has reported no evidence of a causal link between semaglutide and depression, that doesn’t mean it’s not happening at all. At the very least, the mental health side effects associated with weight loss medications are worth discussing.

In its 2024 report, the FDA says it has been evaluating reports of suicidal thoughts and actions among GLP-1 users and has found no evidence that GLP-1 agonists cause suicidal thoughts or actions.

It’s important to note that reports submitted to FAERS can be posted by anyone. They are not individually verified and there is potential for duplication. Still, the reports of mental health effects associated with GLP-1 drugs are an issue the FDA will continue to monitor.  

The FDA points to the difficulty in narrowing in on the cause of suicidal thoughts and activities. The 2024 report says a review of clinical trials found some evidence of these thoughts and behaviors in people taking GLP-1 agonists but at the same rates as people taking placebos.  

Interestingly, some research suggests that people using GLP-1 agonists for diabetes management experience a reduced risk of anxiety and depression. All of this information confirms one thing: There needs to be further exploration into how these drugs can impact individuals’s mental health.

Other GLP-1s

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medication. Other types of GLP-1s include Saxenda® (liraglutide), which garnered reports of suicidal thoughts during its clinical trials. 

Because of these reports, Saxenda and Wegovy® (semaglutide) — another GLP-1 — both have warnings regarding mood changes on their labels. The FDA advises healthcare practitioners to look out for signs of mental health concerns in patients taking Wegovy. 

Ozempic, on the other hand, bears no such warnings.

Still, the association cannot be definitively ruled out, and therefore the FDA says it’s continuing to look into the issue. If you are experiencing any adverse events from your medication, reach out to a healthcare provider or trusted support organization. 

Ozempic works by mimicking the action of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). The hormone is released in response to food intake, boosting insulin secretion in response to rising blood sugar levels. 

For this reason, Ozempic is FDA-approved to help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. 

Ozempic also impacts the brain, acting on GLP-1 receptors located in areas that are involved in hunger and reward pathways. This interaction promotes feelings of satiety and reduces appetite, leading to reduced food intake. 

Furthermore, Ozempic slows gastric emptying, which means food stays in your stomach longer and promotes prolonged feelings of fullness after eating.

For these reasons, some healthcare providers might prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight management. This means using Ozempic for a reason other than its FDA-approved indication for type 2 diabetes.

So, could semaglutide cause depression? We examined the possible reasons next.

What Could Cause Depression While Taking Ozempic?

What’s behind these anecdotal reports of people feeling depressed when taking Ozempic? Can weight loss injections cause depression?

While research is ongoing to determine whether there is any connection between GLP-1 agonists and depression, no link has been identified yet. Until more data is collected, there are a few potential explanations. 

First, Ozempic is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and, off-label, obesity, which means many people who use it are naturally at a higher risk for depression to begin with.

It’s possible that those prescribed Ozempic have underlying conditions that make them more likely to have depression symptoms. There may also be a link between obesity and changes in the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria in your gut) that increases one’s susceptibility to mood changes.

Furthermore, depression is not an uncommon mental health diagnosis. Around ten percent of people in the general population have had a major depressive episode.

It could be coincidental when underlying depression surfaces during the time someone is taking Ozempic, but, again, more research will help clarify this issue.

Ozempic has several potential side effects, but depression and suicidality are not mentioned on the drug packaging. 

Some of the more commonly reported side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal, including: 

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

More serious side effects can include kidney failure, vision problems, gallbladder issues, thyroid tumors, and inflammation of the pancreas.

Research shows no link between using Ozempic or other GLP-1 drugs and developing depression. 

That doesn’t mean an association doesn’t exist; we just need more research to determine what’s going on.

In the meantime, here are some potential indications of depression that would warrant speaking with your healthcare provider: 

• Ongoing feelings of sadness or emptiness

• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

• Significant unintentional weight gain or loss 

• Disturbances in sleep

• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Difficulty concentrating

• Noticeable restlessness or feeling mentally or physically slower than normal 

• Irritability 

• Trouble making decisions, concentrating, or remembering things

• Crying spells without a specific trigger

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide attempts

Note that having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have depression. It’s when these symptoms start to pile up, last longer than a few weeks, and start interfering with your everyday life that you should be concerned.  

Still, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help if you're concerned about how you're feeling, whether it’s related to Ozempic and anxiety, mood changes, or depression.

Can semaglutide cause depression? According to the FDA, there is currently no definitive research to show a direct causal link between Ozempic and depression. 

Still, that doesn't mean one doesn’t exist — nor does it discredit what many people using it are facing. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, suicidal ideation, thoughts of self-harm, or other mental health obstacles affecting quality of life, help is available:

• You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 for the Crisis Text Line.

• Other mental health services are also available. One option is to call the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Your mental health matters. If you’re struggling while taking Ozempic, you’re not alone. Let’s get things back on track so you can focus on what else is important to you.