European Medicines Agency to Review Weight Loss Medications Following Reports of Suicidal Thoughts

Posted By Madilyn Moeller, Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Scale with measuring tape

The European Medicines Agency said Monday it would undertake a review into a number of drugs used to treat obesity and diabetes after it was reported some patients experienced thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

In a statement, the regulator said its safety committee, or PRAC, was “currently evaluating the risk of suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm in patients who used a semaglutide — or liraglutide —containing medicine for weight loss.”

“The review is being carried out in the context of a signal procedure raised by the Icelandic Medicines Agency following three case reports,” the EMA said. “A signal is information on a new or known adverse event that is potentially caused by a medicine and that warrants further investigation.”

The EMA said the case reports “included 2 cases of suicidal thoughts, one following the use of Saxenda and one after Ozempic. One additional case reported thoughts of self-injury with Saxenda.”

Read more at CNBC >>