JAMA Psychiatry
Meta-analysis finds no link between GLP-1 agonist use and suicide-related events
Study details: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the incidence of suicide and self-harm events among adults with diabetes or obesity treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). Data were collected from 144 randomized controlled trials involving 32,357 individuals receiving GLP-1 RAs and 27,046 receiving placebo, with follow-up periods totaling 74,740 and 68,095 person-years, respectively.
Results: Incidence of suicide-related events was extremely low in both groups, at 0.044 per 100 person-years for GLP-1 RA users and 0.040 per 100 person-years for placebo. There wasn’t a statistically significant difference between the groups (rate ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-1.21; P = 0.24).
Clinical impact: GLP-1 RAs don’t significantly increase the risk of suicide or self-harm in adults with diabetes or obesity. This may alleviate concerns regarding the psychiatric safety of these medications and support their continued use in managing diabetes and obesity. Although the findings are reassuring, authors say continued monitoring is warranted to identify potential subgroups of patients at risk for adverse events with extended and expanded use of GLP-1 RAs.
Source:
Ebrahimi P, et al. (2025, March 19). JAMA Psychiatry. Suicide and Self-Harm Events With GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Adults With Diabetes or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40105856/