Can Ozempic Cause Depression?

Ozempic has been in the news a lot lately for its effects on physical concerns such as diabetes and weight. But can it also affect a person’s mental health? For example, can Ozempic cause depression?

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is the brand name of a prescription medication that is frequently used to treat people who have type 2 diabetes. It is also used to help people lose weight, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved it for this purpose.

The primary active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). Other GLP-1 RAs include liraglutide (Victoza), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and dulaglutide (Trulicity).

These medications work by increasing the release of insulin and lowering levels of glucagon, which leads to a reduction in blood sugar. These meds also slow the emptying of the stomach after a person has eaten, which can suppress appetite and promote weight loss.

What Are the Signs of Depression?

When used in informal conversations, the word “depression” is sometimes used as a synonym for sadness or temporary low mood. But in a clinical context, depression refers to several distinct mental health conditions, such as:

Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Persistent depressive disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD)
Postpartum depression (PPD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

The main differentiators among these conditions include when symptoms begin, how severe they become, and how long they last.

Common signs of depressive disorders include:

Low mood and pervasive sadness
Agitation and irritability
Diminished energy and persistent fatigue
Lack of motivation
Difficulty experiencing pleasure
Changes in appetite (which may include eating too much or too little)
Unintentional weight gain or loss
Abnormal sleep patterns (which may include insomnia and hypersomnia)
Difficulty concentrating or focusing
Problems with memory, judgement, and decisiveness
Sense of hopelessness, helplessness, and/or worthlessness
Recurrent thoughts of death and dying
Thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide

Can Ozempic Cause Depression?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression are triggered by specific experiences, the defining characteristic of seasonal affective disorder is that it only occurs at a certain time of year.

So the question, “can Ozempic cause depression?” refers primarily to major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.

Three recently published studies that explored this question reached different conclusions about the potential link between GLP-1 RAs and depression.

Case report: Ozempic and worsening depression

In June 2024, the peer-reviewed journal Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience published a case report titled “GLP-1 Agonists Can Affect Mood: A Case of Worsened Depression on Ozempic (Semaglutide).”

Though the title of that article seems to indicate that Ozempic may be the cause depression, it’s important not to overlook the word “worsened.” Here’s why:

The report focused on a 54-year-old female patient who experience a host of depression-related symptoms – including loss of interest in enjoyable activities, irritability, sleeping problems, and negative mood changes – after using semaglutide for four weeks.
This patient was prescribed semaglutide to help manage symptoms of type 2 diabetes. She also had hypertension and hyperlipidemia
The patient reported that she had experienced a depressive episode five years before starting semaglutide, and took an antidepressant for about a year.
Since the recurrence of these symptoms occurred when she began to take semaglutide, her doctors switched her to a different medication.
Over the next few weeks, her depressive symptoms subsided.

Does this mean that Ozempic caused her depression?

As the authors of this report noted, they were unable to determine if the worsening mental health symptoms were caused by semaglutide or related to her history of depression. Though the timing strongly suggests that semaglutide contributed to the return of symptoms, they stated that additional research is necessary to reach a definitive conclusion.

Cohort study: GLP- RAs and increased risk of depression

In October 2024, the open access journal Scientific Reports published a cohort study titled “The risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior in patients with obesity on glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy.”

This study involved an analysis of nine years’ worth of data from 162,253 adult patients who had been diagnosed with obesity. Some of the patients were taking either liraglutide or semaglutide, while those in the control group were taking neither of these medications.

Results included:

The researchers found “a significant association” between GLP-1 RA treatment and a 98% increased risk of developing any psychiatric disorders.
Patients who were taking liraglutide or semaglutide had a 195% higher risk of major depressive symptoms, when compared to the control group.
Patients who were taking the GLP-1 RAs also had a108% increased risk of anxiety and a 106% higher risk of suicidal behaviors.
Risk of psychiatric problems appeared to be highest among patients who used more potent GLP-1 RAs, or who used the drugs for longer periods of time.

Meta-Analysis: GLP-1 RAs and reduction of depression symptoms

The two previous studies looked at the ability of Ozempic and similar medications to cause the onset or recurrence of depressive symptoms.

A third study, a meta-analysis that was published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry in January 2024, explored the potential benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on people who had been identified as already having depression.

This meta-analysis involved a review of six previously published research efforts with a total of 2,071 adult participants. The results of this effort included:

Participants who received GLP-1 RAs had “significant reductions in the depression rating scales compared to control treatments.”
Patients who were taking GLP-1 RAs for type 2 diabetes experienced “significant positive effects” related to depression symptoms.

The authors of this study noted that they were not able to identify the mechanism of action that allowed these medications to alleviate depression symptoms.

For example, they acknowledged that the drugs may not have directly affected depression, but that patients’ improved mood may have been related to an easing of their type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Though the question, can Ozempic cause depression, has not yet been conclusively answered, there is no doubt that untreated depressive disorders can be highly disruptive. But depression is a treatable condition. When you find the help you need, you can experience relief from your symptoms and begin to live a much healthier and more hopeful life.

Find Depression Treatment in the Atlanta Area

North Atlanta Behavioral Health is a trusted source of personalized outpatient treatment for adults who have been living with depression and other mental health concerns.

Treatment options at our center include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program (OP). Our team of experienced professionals will work closely with you to identify the full scope of your needs and determine which programs and services are best for you.

To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.