(The Defender)—People who take the popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are 45% more likely to have suicidal thoughts than people taking other drugs, according to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Researchers from the Zucker School of Medicine in New York reviewed a World Health Organization global database of adverse drug effects between November 2000 and August 2023.
They compared reporting rates for semaglutide — the active ingredient in the blockbuster drugs — to other similar weight-loss drugs and all drugs in the database. They found that semaglutide was associated with “disproportionately increased reporting of suicidality.”
“Authorities should consider issuing a warning to inform about this risk,” the authors concluded, particularly given the increasing off-label use of the drug. They said in half of the cases where suicidal thoughts occurred, the drug was being taken off-label.
The signal “warrants urgent clarification,” they added.
The researchers also found a higher risk for suicidal thoughts among people on antidepressants or benzodiazepines, likely prescribed for depression or anxiety, who were also taking semaglutide.
They recommended that physicians who prescribe semaglutide inform patients of the risk and assess their psychiatric history and mental state before prescribing the drug.
‘If you want to check if a drug causes suicidality, you have to interview people’
In more than half of the cases the researchers studied, suicidal thoughts stopped when people stopped taking the drugs.
Dr. David Healy, a psychiatrist who was not involved in the study, told The Defender this was one of the more significant findings. The overall number of suicidal thoughts reported was small, he said, but the proportion of cases where the thoughts stopped when the drug was stopped was high.
This is telling, he said. However, he said investigations must happen at the clinical level to determine causality. “If you want to check if a drug causes suicidality — you have to interview people,” he said.
The researchers also found a slight increase in reports of suicidal ideation in the database for the earlier version of the weight loss medication, liraglutide — sold under the brand name Victoza and Saxenda.
Liraglutide is in the same broader class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs as semaglutide.
Accompanying commentary by authors Francesco Salvo, M.D., Ph.D., of the Université de Bordeaux and Jean-Luc Faillie, M.D., Ph.D., of the Université de Montpellier in France, affirmed that GLP-1 receptor agonists should be prescribed with “great caution in patients with a history of depression or suicidal attempts.”
They added that the drug should be discontinued if new depression symptoms occur when on the drugs.
FDA and EMA claim no evidence of link
The injectable prescription drugs were originally developed to manage blood sugar levels in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, but they became wildly popular over the last several years for their ability to help people lose weight.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are chemicals derived from lizard venom that can change people’s metabolism and eating behaviors as long as they continue to take the drugs.
When people stop taking the drugs, they typically regain most or all of the weight they lost.
The drugs have been touted by Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities as a key to overcoming the obesity epidemic.
Mainstream health publications like StatNews have advocated for increasing access to the expensive obesity drugs in the name of racial justice, and there has been growing pressure for the drugs to be covered without restrictions by Medicare.
And medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics rushed to recommend the drugs for children as young as 8, just weeks after they were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for children.
And in October 2023, Novo Nordisk announced that it is testing semaglutide in children as young as 6.
The drugs are new to the market. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company that makes Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda only published its clinical trial showing weight loss effects of semaglutide in February of 2021 and the FDA approved Wegovy for weight loss in June 2021.
Between 2020 and 2023, GLP-1 receptor agonists use increased by 594% in young people, particularly among women.
Despite the hype, serious concerns have been raised about the safety of the drugs. They’ve been linked to cancers in the digestive system, thyroid cancer, stomach paralysis, a wide range of other gastrointestinal disorders, among other issues and the drugs pose a serious but little-known risk for pregnant women.
Last year, suicidal ideation linked to Ozempic and Saxenda, and one case of self-harm ideation linked to Saxenda were reported in Iceland, which led to an investigation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Similar reports were also made to the FDA.
The EMA reported in April that its follow-up investigation, which reviewed non-clinical studies, clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance data, “does not support a causal association” between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal or self-harm thoughts.
The FDA reported in January that its investigation of reports to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) showed no safety signal for the drugs and that it had a meta-analysis underway.
A study published in Nature in January found no link between the drugs and suicidal thoughts
The EMA continues to maintain that no warning is warranted, but in U.S. labeling, the product information for semaglutide does list thoughts of suicide as a possible side effect.
Novo flagged “several limitations” of the new study and maintained that it will continue to work with the FDA and other regulators to monitor the safety of the drugs, Fierce Pharma reported.
“We stand behind the safety and efficacy of all of our GLP-1RA medicines when they are used as indicated and when taken under the care of a licensed healthcare professional,” the spokesperson said. “The known risks associated with use of these medicines are reflected in their current FDA- and EMA-approved product labeling.”
Suicidal thoughts and suicides occurred in clinical trials
Despite the EMA and FDA’s continued claims of safety for GLP-1 agonists, in the clinical trials for liraglutide there was a higher incidence of suicidal thoughts versus the placebo, although the number was not statistically significant, the Japanese journal MedCheck reported in its overview of the drug, recommending against its use.
In another liraglutide trial, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, of 125 trial participants, there were three reported suicidal cases — two attempted and one completed suicide. The suicide was judged by the clinicians not to be related to the drug.
In its reporting to the FDA for Wegovy approval, Novo Nordisk also reported a slightly higher rate of suicide, which they said was not statistically significant, among participants in the semaglutide group.
They also reported four fatal events of suicide — one serious attempt and three completed suicides — in blinded data. Because the data were blinded, they reported that it could not be assessed whether the suicides were linked to the drugs.
Some argue that obese people have a mental illness that leads to an increased risk of suicidal ideation, but research doesn’t support that theory. One recent study showed that obese men in the U.S. actually have lower rates of suicidal ideation.
The issue of suicidal thoughts linked to weight-loss drugs has been a major hurdle to the drug industry’s ability to develop lucrative weight-loss drugs.
An earlier weight-loss drug — Sanofi’s Acomplia (rimonabant) — was pulled from European markets because it caused suicidal ideation. It never won approval in the U.S.
Diet pills Contrave by Currax Pharmaceuticals and Qsymia by Vivus, approved in the U.S. in 2014 and 2012, respectively, also carry warnings on their labels about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
