Ozempic and Saxenda weight loss drugs investigated by UK regulator over suicidal and self-harming thoughts | Science & Tech News

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The UK is reviewing diabetes drugs and weight-loss therapies Ozempic and Saxenda after some sufferers reported suicidal or self-harming ideas.

The Medicines and Healthcare merchandise Regulatory Company (MHRA) mentioned it was reviewing security knowledge on a category of medication generally known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

It consists of Ozempic, offered by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which accommodates the lively ingredient semaglutide and is permitted to deal with Kind 2 diabetes however has gained popularity as a “miracle” weight-loss aid.

The company mentioned though Ozempic was not permitted for weight reduction, “it’s generally used off-label for that goal” within the UK.

The evaluate additionally consists of the corporate’s Saxenda, which accommodates the lively ingredient liraglutide and is permitted as a weight-loss remedy.

Saxenda is Novo’s older GLP-1 drug and has a decrease effectiveness than its newer weight problems remedy, Wegovy, which accommodates semaglutide. The company permitted the drug for weight-loss remedy in 2021, but it surely has not but launched within the UK.

“Affected person security is our high precedence,” mentioned Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief security officer.

“We are going to rigorously think about all accessible proof and talk any additional recommendation to sufferers and healthcare professionals as applicable.”

GLP-1 receptor agonists had been initially developed to deal with Kind 2 diabetes and mimic the intestine hormone that suppresses urge for food, selling a sense of fullness.

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EU additionally investigating Ozempic and Saxenda

The evaluate comes two weeks after similar action by the European Union after Iceland’s well being regulator flagged three circumstances of sufferers desirous about suicide or self-harm.

Additionally it is investigating GLP-1 medicine for doable threat of thyroid most cancers.

The MHRA mentioned its evaluate would think about security knowledge together with antagonistic drug reactions reported by sufferers and clinicians to the MHRA and different medicines regulators.

It obtained 5 studies of suspected antagonistic drug reactions related to “suicidal and self-injurious” behaviour in sufferers who took Ozempic or Wegovy between 2020 and 6 July this yr.

It additionally obtained 12 related studies involving Saxenda between 2010 and 6 July.

The MHRA mentioned the actual fact signs happen after use of a medication is just not proof of causation.

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