A new study has found an association between prescription weight-loss medication use and higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.
The research also found stronger associations among people who regained weight after using the medication. However, the findings do not prove that weight-loss drugs directly cause these mental health outcomes.
Study Examines 27,741 Adults
Researchers at Asan Medical Center in South Korea analyzed data from 27,741 adults.
The participants took part in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2022. The group included 10,908 men and 16,833 women.
Among the participants, 846 reported taking doctor-prescribed medication for weight control during the previous year. Meanwhile, 26,895 participants had not used weight-loss medicines.
The study did not separate participants according to the specific types of weight-loss medication they used.
Depression Rates Were Higher Among Medication Users
The researchers found noticeable differences in reported depressive feelings between the two groups.
About 22.1% of people who used weight-loss medication reported depressive feelings lasting at least two consecutive weeks.
By comparison, 11.4% of people who did not use the medications reported similar feelings.
Suicidal thoughts were also reported more frequently among medication users. About 9.9% of users reported suicidal thoughts, compared with 4.5% among non-users.
Furthermore, 2.2% of medication users reported making suicide plans. The figure stood at 1.4% among people who did not use weight-loss drugs.
Suicide attempts were reported by 1.7% of users and 0.6% of non-users.
Researchers Find Higher Adjusted Odds
After accounting for other factors, researchers found that weight-loss medication users had 93% higher odds of depression.
They also had 168% higher odds of suicidal thoughts compared with people who did not use the medications.
In addition, medication users were around twice as likely to seek counseling for mental health concerns.
However, these statistical associations do not establish that the medications caused the reported mental health outcomes.
Weight Regain Shows Stronger Association
The study found an especially strong association among people who regained weight after taking weight-loss medication.
In this group, the odds of suicidal thoughts were around 4.2 times higher than among people who had not used weight-loss drugs.
They also had 1.9 times higher odds of depression. Additionally, their odds of seeking mental health counseling were 1.8 times higher.
Researchers suggested several possible explanations for the findings.
These include potential neuropsychiatric effects linked to the medications. Psychological and social stress surrounding unsuccessful weight control or weight regain could also contribute.
However, the study cannot determine whether medication use, weight regain, related circumstances, or other factors caused the observed differences.
Study Does Not Establish Direct Drug-Related Harm
The research, titled Association of Weight-Loss Medication Use and Weight Change with Depression and Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors, appeared in the Korean Journal of Family Practice.
Importantly, the researchers identified an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Therefore, the findings should not be interpreted as proof that weight-loss medicines directly cause depression or suicidal behaviour.
The study also did not distinguish between different weight-loss medications, limiting conclusions about individual drugs or drug classes.
Earlier Regulatory Reviews Found Different Evidence
Concerns about suicidal thoughts and weight-loss medications have previously led health regulators to review available evidence.
The US Food and Drug Administration began investigating reports involving GLP-1 medicines in 2023.
However, the FDA said in January 2026 that its comprehensive review found no increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour associated with GLP-1 medicines.
The review included clinical trials, observational studies, and post-marketing data.
Following that assessment, the FDA asked manufacturers to remove warnings about suicidal behaviour and ideation from prescribing information for Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound.
The latest study therefore adds new observational evidence to an issue that has already undergone regulatory review, while its findings remain associative rather than conclusive.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
