Scientists call for 'urgent attention' after discovering harmful potential effects of Ozempic-like drugs
Experts have warned that blockbuster jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can raise the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, potentially leaving patients 'dying to lose weight '.
The medicines could disrupt levels of a mood-regulating called dopamine in vulnerable individuals, a study by international researchers suggested.
The findings come as The European Medicine' Agency launches a review of the family of drugs, called GLP-1 agonists, following reports of adverse psychiatric events, including suicidal thoughts.
Senior author of the new study, psychopharmacologist Dr Kennneth Blum, said: 'This study should not be ignored.
'We urge the clinical prescribing community to proceed with caution to avoid another tragic wave of people dying to lose weight.'
Millions of dieters in Britain are fans of the jabs, with studies suggesting at least one in 10 women use them.
The medicines help patients to lose weight by mimicking naturally-produced hormones that make us feel full, dramatically reducing appetite.
While studies have found them to be highly effective at aiding weight loss - and reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke - researchers have raised the alarm about other concerning side effects.
Complications have included stomach paralysis, dangerous inflammation of the pancreas and vision loss, among other issues.
In March, an eight-year long study of 160,000 obese patients found those taking the drugs had nearly treble the normal risk of depression and double the risk of anxiety, as well as three times the risk of suicidal behaviour, compared with people who weren't on the drugs.
The latest analysis, led by 24 researchers across the United States, 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.
Commonly referred to as the happiness hormone, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the brain's pleasure and reward systems.
In the paper, published in the journal Current Neuropharmacology, scientists examined the DNA of individuals with hypodopaminergia - a condition characterised by reduced dopamine activity in the brain.
Using computer simulation software, the researchers studied the interaction between GLP-1 agonists and genes associated with dopamine signaling, including DRD3, BDNF and CREB1.
They found that GLP1 receptor antagonists can disrupt the levels of dopamine in those with genes that reduce the activity of dopamine.
This imbalance, they concluded, may increase the risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
The researchers are now urging clinicians to consider genetic tests to better protect individuals who are at a high risk of developing depression whilst taking the popular weight loss drugs.
Professor Panayotis K. Thanos of Buffalo University commented: 'Before prescribing GLP1 receptor agonists, it would be prudent to use genetic testing tools to assess a patient's dopamine function and risk profile.'
'While GLP-1 receptor agonists hold promise, 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 Igor Elman of Harvard University added.
Wegovy carries a depression warning on its label.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Fat jabs 'may stop hormone replacement therapy working and raise cancer risk'
Weight-loss drugs could prevent hormone replacement therapy from working – and put the health of menopausal women at risk. The British Menopause Society (BMS) has advised doctors to closely monitor patients taking HRT for menopause while also using fat jabs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic. Experts say the drugs' ability to delay food's transit through the gut can slow absorption of oral pills. The medicines regulator last week warned that women using fat jabs should not rely on oral contraception after receiving more than 40 reports of pregnancies from those using the two drugs together. Now guidance suggests women taking HRT orally should also be aware of the risks. The most common form of HRT is a progesterone pill alongside a skin patch or gel to deliver oestrogen. Importantly, progesterone balances out the effects of oestrogen, which alone boosts womb lining growth, and can cause 'abnormal cells and cancer '. The BMS, concerned about the potential loss of progesterone's protective effect, has now advised doctors to move women to an intrauterine device, such as a coil, or raise the progesterone dose. Professor Annice Mukherjee, of the society's medical advisory council, who led on the guidance, said an imbalance in hormones, particularly in women with obesity, would put them 'at increased risk of womb cancer'. But she stressed that the biggest risk factor for womb cancer is obesity and so overall the weight-loss jabs were a positive tool to reduce weight and cancer risk. It comes as a GP told the Cheltenham Science Festival patients may need to use fat jabs for life. Professor Graham Easton, who has used them himself, said: 'There's no point in most people taking it for a couple of years and then have the weight bouncing back.' There were 2.6million women taking HRT in 2023/24 in England to help with symptoms of the menopause, which can include hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, and aches. Meanwhile, more than 1.5million Britons are taking weight-loss jabs, with demand doubling in the past six months. It is not known how many are on both drugs together.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Number of fat jab NHS prescriptions doubles in a year as 73% of Sun readers now think about using injections
Prescriptions for Mounjaro surged to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlier FAT JAB BRITAIN Number of fat jab NHS prescriptions doubles in a year as 73% of Sun readers now think about using injections Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENGLAND has become a fat jab nation as weight loss drug prescriptions double to almost three million in a year. Demand for drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro show no signs of slowing, with the NHS splashing out £269million on them in 2024-25. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Weight loss drug prescriptions in England have doubled to almost three million in a year Credit: Getty 5 Prescriptions for Mounjaro surged to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlier Credit: Alamy It comes as a new Sun survey reveals 73 per cent of our readers are thinking of using them as they struggle to shift weight. Official figures show prescriptions for the big three — Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy — rocketed from 1.4million in 2023-24 to 2.7million last year. The increase was driven by Mounjaro, regarded as the strongest jab, with prescriptions surging to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlier. Most were prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, as the injections were designed to treat that condition, and have only recently been approved for weight loss alone. NHS figures suggest prescriptions in Wales also doubled last year, from approximately 34,000 to 70,000, and in Scotland from 40,000 to 50,000. The numbers are expected to rise again this year as the NHS introduces them through slimming clinics. More than a million people are also already buying the jabs privately. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: 'Never in my career have I seen a product with as much hype as these injections. 'The demand is absolutely huge and I expect it to keep increasing — the only way is up.' Clare Butler, 48, said the jabs also helped her mental health. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons The mum, from Manchester, who has lost 4st 4lb, said: 'Mounjaro didn't only quieten the food noise, but it helped quieten the over-thinking, anxious thoughts that had consumed my life for so long.' She described it as, 'the best decision I've ever made for myself'. Research is revealing wide-ranging health benefits to the jabs, such as lowering risks of cancer, heart disease and dementia, yet warnings over weight loss drugs are also increasing. 5 Medics warn they must not be used in pregnancy, while trying to conceive or while breastfeeding, for fear they could lead to miscarriage or birth defects. They have also warned that rapid weight loss caused by the drugs could lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Annual statistics from the NHS Business Services Authority show the total number of GLP-1 injections prescribed increased from 1,427,968 in the 2023-24 financial year to 2,734,499 in 2024-25. It was a 91 per cent spike — accounted for almost entirely by Mounjaro's growth. 5 Clare Butler lost 4st4lb on Mounjaro Credit: Clare Butler 5 Clare said the jabs not only helped her lose weight but improved her mental health Credit: Clare Butler The totals also included brands such as Saxenda, Ozempic and Wegovy. In the same period, the cost of prescribing rose from £137,808,297 to £269,276,366 — equal to 2.4 per cent of all NHS spending on pharmacy medicines, or £1 in every £42. The NHS said: 'We expect demand for weight loss drugs to continue to rise in the coming years.' The Department of Health added: 'We recognise the drugs' importance for treating type 2 diabetes and their exciting remit as new treatments for obesity.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Number of fat jab NHS prescriptions doubles in a year as 73% of Sun readers now think about using injections
ENGLAND has become a fat jab nation as weight loss drug prescriptions double to almost three million in a year. Demand for drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro show no signs of slowing, with the NHS splashing out £269million on them in 2024-25. 5 It comes as a new Sun survey reveals 73 per cent of our readers are thinking of using them as they struggle to shift weight. Official figures show prescriptions for the big three — Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy — rocketed from 1.4million in 2023-24 to 2.7million last year. The increase was driven by Mounjaro, regarded as the strongest jab, with prescriptions surging to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlier. Most were prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, as the injections were designed to treat that condition, and have only recently been approved for weight loss alone. NHS figures suggest prescriptions in Wales also doubled last year, from approximately 34,000 to 70,000, and in Scotland from 40,000 to 50,000. The numbers are expected to rise again this year as the NHS introduces them through slimming clinics. More than a million people are also already buying the jabs privately. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: 'Never in my career have I seen a product with as much hype as these injections. 'The demand is absolutely huge and I expect it to keep increasing — the only way is up.' Clare Butler, 48, said the jabs also helped her mental health. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons The mum, from Manchester, who has lost 4st 4lb, said: 'Mounjaro didn't only quieten the food noise, but it helped quieten the over-thinking, anxious thoughts that had consumed my life for so long.' She described it as, 'the best decision I've ever made for myself'. Research is revealing wide-ranging health benefits to the jabs, such as lowering risks of cancer, heart disease and dementia, yet warnings over weight loss drugs are also increasing. 5 Medics warn they must not be used in pregnancy, while trying to conceive or while breastfeeding, for fear they could lead to miscarriage or birth defects. They have also warned that rapid weight loss caused by the drugs could lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Annual statistics from the NHS Business Services Authority show the total number of GLP-1 injections prescribed increased from 1,427,968 in the 2023-24 financial year to 2,734,499 in 2024-25. It was a 91 per cent spike — accounted for almost entirely by Mounjaro's growth. 5 5 The totals also included brands such as Saxenda, Ozempic and Wegovy. In the same period, the cost of prescribing rose from £137,808,297 to £269,276,366 — equal to 2.4 per cent of all NHS spending on pharmacy medicines, or £1 in every £42. The NHS said: 'We expect demand for weight loss drugs to continue to rise in the coming years.' The Department of Health added: 'We recognise the drugs' importance for treating type 2 diabetes and their exciting remit as new treatments for obesity.'
