The FDA is investigating whether so-called GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy can cause suicidal thoughts, hair loss and aspiration (feeding into the windpipe).
The reason for the investigation is that such symptoms have been reported. But it is still unclear whether they are linked to the drugs or caused by other circumstances.
According to a preliminary statement from the FDA on Thursday, it is said that there is no apparent link to suicidal thoughts, but that it cannot be definitively excluded that “a small risk may exist”, reports the AP. The investigation into the drugs will continue.
Since before, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is also investigating possible links to suicidal thoughts.
In a large American study published in the journal Nature recently, the researchers could not find that the medication produced more suicidal thoughts. However, the method used (retrospective observational study) cannot prove this for sure, although the results “may assuage concerns”, reports Reuters.
Danish Novo Nordisk, which produces several GLP-1 drugs, says BT newspaper that the pharmaceutical company has a close collaboration with both the FDA and the EMA in the investigations.
Some research has previously linked GLP-1 drugs to serious digestive problems such as irritable bowel and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), although the side effects are uncommon and in many cases are already mentioned in the drug’s package leaflets.