The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Tuesday launched an investigation into the weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Saxenda and Wegovy, after Iceland’s medicines agency said they may be linked to suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
The Icelandic Medicines Agency detailed 150 reports of self-harm and suicidal thoughts potentially linked to the three drugs.
The drugs under investigation are widely marketed, with up to 20 million patients using them each year. They are mainly intended for diabetics, but Ozempic and Wegovy are also used as appetite reducers.
However, the EMA stresses that it is not yet clear whether these drugs are the cause of the symptoms mentioned, or whether these are attributable to other factors, such as underlying conditions affecting patients.
The agency plans to issue an opinion by November.
