The European Medicines Agency has warned of the potential adverse effects of three antidiabetic treatments, which could cause dark thoughts and self-mutilation.
- The European Medicines Agency is investigating potential side effects that may be associated with taking Ozempic, Saxenda and Wegovy.
- The drugs Ozempic, Saxenda and Wegovy are antidiabetic treatments, which are prescribed for weight loss.
- Reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm have been recorded by the Icelandic Medicines Agency.
The drugs Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy are three anti-diabetic treatments, which use active ingredients similar to GLP-1, an intestinal hormone, which has an action on blood sugar levels. On Tuesday July 11, the European Medicines Agency said that one of its committees is investigating the potential side effects of these drugs prescribed for weight loss.
Ozempic: reports alerting to new side effects
The European body’s announcement follows reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm recorded by Iceland’s medicines agency. Active ingredients such as semaglutide contained in Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as liraglutide contained in Saxenda could be responsible for these dark thoughts in patients taking these drugs.
“So far, authorities are analyzing 150 possible case reports”, said the European Medicines Agency. However, the committee responsible for the investigation has not yet determined whether the reported cases were associated with taking these antidiabetic drugs, or other factors. These reports do not mean “that a drug caused the adverse effects in question”noted the organization.
Misuse of antidiabetic drugs
The molecules present in these antidiabetic drugs help regulate blood sugar, but they also promote the feeling of satiety, and therefore have a powerful appetite suppressant effect. Because of their slimming properties, non-diabetics have started taking these treatments. Ozempic’s effects have been touted on social media in particular, where it has been touted as a miracle weight loss product. In particular, the misuse of antidiabetic drugs has had significant global consequences. Many shortages have been recorded in different countries.
