Urgent caution over new ‘Ozempic’ side effect as scientists fear ‘tragic wave of people dying to lose weight’
BLOCKBUSTER 'Ozempic-style' fat jabs could increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, experts have warned.
The injections have allegedly helped celebs like Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson, Sharon Osbourne and ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to shed some pounds.
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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 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.
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.
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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.
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 carry warnings on the label about potential mood changes, including depression.
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
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