Urgent caution over new ‘Ozempic' side effect as scientists fear ‘tragic wave of people dying to lose weight'

Scottish Sun

25-04-2025

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BLOCKBUSTER 'Ozempic-style' fat jabs could increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, experts have warned.
The injections' have allegedly helped celebrities including Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson, Sharon Osbourne and ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to shed some pounds.
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Scientists think fat jabs upset dopamine levels in the brain and raise the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
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Since then, the medicine's popularity has sky skyrocketed, with private prescriptions for jabs like such as Mounjaro set to hit one million this year.
But a new international study suggests the medicines could mess with mood-regulating hormone called dopamine.
"We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of 'people dying to lose weight,'" study author, Dr Kenneth Blum, from Ariel University in California, US said.
More than 2,000 patients on the drugs have already joined a Facebook group seeking help for panic attacks and severe anxiety.
The page says: 'Our group is fast growing now, as more people start taking these meds and experiencing these scary side effects.'
The findings come as the European Medicines Agency launches a review into GLP-1 drugs after reports of serious psychiatric side effects, including suicidal thoughts.
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite.
The drugs mimic the action of GLP-1 by making us feel full and helping people eat less.
They are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity due to their dual benefits in blood sugar control and weight management.
For weight loss, GLP-1s target appetite regulation centres in the brain, increasing the sensation of fullness and reducing hunger.
There are many treatments available on the NHS to help with low mood and depression
They've also been shown to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But experts have warned about serious side effects too, including stomach paralysis, pancreas inflammation, and even vision loss.
In February, The Sun revealed that 82 Brits have died after using weight-loss and diabetes jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. The details of why they died were not shared.
Earlier this year, an eight-year study of 160,000 obese patients found those on the drugs were nearly three times more likely to suffer depression and suicidal behaviour.
The paper, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found people on the drugs were twice as likely to have anxiety, compared to those not taking them.
The latest analysis, by scientists in the US, Brazil, Iran, and Israel, found long-term use of these drugs could disrupt signals sent by dopamine in the brain, potentially leading to depressive symptoms.
Dopamine, often called the 'feel-good' chemical, helps control pleasure and reward in the brain.
A review last year by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) did not find a link between the jabs and suicide risks.
In a new study, published in the journal Current Neuropharmacology, scientists looked at people with low dopamine activity - a condition linked to mood problems.
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Using computer models, they found that GLP-1 drugs may affect how certain dopamine-related genes work, like DRD3, BDNF and CREB1.
This could upset dopamine levels in the brain and raise the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
The researchers are now urging clinicians not to over-prescribe the drugs, and consider genetic tests to better protect those who are already at a high risk of developing depression.
Professor Igor Elman of Harvard University, said: "While GLP1 receptor agonists hold promise for treating addictive and behavioral disorders, we must remain vigilant about their potential harm.
"This study is not intended to break the bubble of hope but to add a layer of precaution in their over-prescription."
Professor Panayotis K. Thanos of Buffalo University added: "Before prescribing GLP1 receptor agonists, it would be prudent to use genetic testing tools to assess a patient's dopamine function and addiction risk profile."
Wegovy and Mounjaro both warnings about possible mood changes, including depression on the medicine box.