GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Not Linked to Increased Suicide Risk

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 3, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, March 3, 2025 -- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are not associated with an increased risk for suicidality compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in adjusted analyses, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in The BMJ.

Samantha B. Shapiro, from the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, and colleagues conducted an active comparator, new user cohort study to examine whether use of GLP-1 receptor agonists is associated with an increased risk for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and suicide compared with DPP-4 inhibitor or SGLT-2 inhibitor use. The first cohort included 36,082 GLP-1 receptor agonist users and 234,028 DPP-4 inhibitor users, and the second cohort included 32,336 GLP-1 receptor agonist users and 96,212 SGLT-2 inhibitor users.

In crude analyses, the researchers found an increased incidence of suicidality with GLP-1 receptor agonist versus DPP-4 inhibitor use (crude incidence rates, 3.9 versus 1.8 per 1,000 person-years; hazard ratio, 2.08; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.83 to 2.36). After accounting for confounding factors, this estimate decreased to a null value (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.23). GLP-1 receptor agonist use was also associated with an increased risk for suicidality compared with SGLT-2 inhibitor use (crude incidence rates, 4.3 versus 2.7 per 1,000 person-years; hazard ratio, 1.60; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.37 to 1.87), but the correlation did not persist after accounting for confounding factors (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.73 to 1.12). When suicidal ideation, self-harm, and suicide were analyzed separately in both cohorts, the findings were similar.

"These findings should provide some reassurance with respect to the psychiatric safety of these drugs," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text

Editorial

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-03-04 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords