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Ozempic, GLP-1 Drugs and Mental Health: What the Research Shows

What the FDA and EMA found about GLP-1 drugs and depression, plus psychiatric medication interactions and alcohol research.
  • Fact checked
  • Medically Reviewed
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Medically Reviewed by Dr John Motl MD

Ozempic and mental health at a glance

Don’t start, stop, or change a GLP-1 drug or a psychiatric medication on your own. If you have thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 now.

What they are
GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss
Suicidal thoughts
In January 2026, the FDA found no increased risk and asked for the warning to be removed from weight-loss labels
Depression and anxiety
The FDA’s review of 91 trials found no increased risk of depression, anxiety, irritability, or psychosis
Europe
The EMA’s safety committee found no causal link in April 2024
With psychiatric meds
GLP-1s slow stomach emptying, which may change how some pills are absorbed
Antipsychotic weight gain
Early trials show semaglutide can help, but no GLP-1 is approved for that use
Alcohol cravings
Promising early research, not an approved treatment
Still important
Tell your prescriber about any new or worsening mood changes
Depression and suicide riskWith psychiatric medsAlcohol cravingsGet help
Table of contents (11)

Can Ozempic affect your mental health?

Short answer: the best evidence so far says GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound do not raise the risk of depression or suicidal thoughts. In January 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed 91 clinical trials with more than 107,000 people and found no increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, depression, anxiety, irritability, or psychosis.1

That is reassuring, but it is not the whole story for people who also take psychiatric medication. GLP-1 drugs can change how some pills are absorbed, they are being studied for weight gain caused by antipsychotics, and researchers are testing whether they reduce alcohol cravings.4,9,12 This guide covers what is known, what is still research, and what to talk over with your prescriber.

Everyone’s mood is their own. If you feel different on a GLP-1, that matters, whatever the studies say. Tell the person who prescribes it.1

Want medical support while you taper? Learn how our residential medication tapering program in Sedona works, or call (888) 907-7075.

What are GLP-1 drugs?

Short answer: GLP-1 receptor agonists copy a gut hormone that helps control blood sugar and appetite. They slow how fast the stomach empties and help people feel full sooner.4 Tirzepatide also acts on a second hormone receptor, called GIP.5

Brand Medicine Main FDA-approved uses
Ozempic Semaglutide (weekly injection) Type 2 diabetes, plus lowering heart and kidney risks in some adults with diabetes6
Wegovy Semaglutide (injection or tablet) Long-term weight management, lowering heart risk in adults with heart disease, and a type of fatty liver disease (MASH)4
Mounjaro Tirzepatide (weekly injection) Type 2 diabetes7
Zepbound Tirzepatide (weekly injection) Long-term weight management and obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity5
Saxenda Liraglutide (daily injection) Weight management1

All of these labels carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodent studies. They should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or a condition called MEN 2.4,5,6,7 The most common side effects are stomach-related, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.4

Do GLP-1 drugs cause depression or suicidal thoughts?

Short answer: no, based on the large reviews done so far. Both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) looked closely at this question and did not find that GLP-1 drugs cause suicidal thoughts.1,2,3

The concern started in 2023, when Iceland’s medicines agency received reports of suicidal thoughts in people using liraglutide and semaglutide. Here is how the regulators responded:

Date What happened
July 2023 The EMA began reviewing reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm with GLP-1 drugs.3
January 11, 2024 The FDA’s preliminary review found no evidence that these drugs cause suicidal thoughts or actions, but said it could not rule out a small risk.2
April 2024 The EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) concluded the evidence does not support a causal link, and no label change was needed.3
January 13, 2026 The FDA found no increased risk and asked the makers of Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda to remove the suicidal behavior and ideation warning from their labels.1
February 2026 The current Wegovy and Zepbound labels list that warning as removed.4,5

What the FDA reviewed in 2026: 91 placebo-controlled trials with 107,910 people, plus an insurance-claims study of more than 2.2 million new users. GLP-1 users had no higher risk of intentional self-harm than people starting a different diabetes medicine.1 The warning had only ever appeared on the weight-loss versions. The diabetes labels, like Ozempic’s, never carried it.1

Some observational research has even found lower rates of suicidal thoughts in people taking semaglutide than in people taking other weight-loss or diabetes medicines.8 Studies like that can’t prove the drug caused the difference, so treat it as a question for more research, not a benefit.

What if my mood changes on a GLP-1?

Tell your prescriber. The FDA still asks patients to report new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in mood or behavior, and asks clinicians to refer anyone with suicidal thoughts for a mental health evaluation.1 A drug can be safe on average and still not suit you. Changes in eating, sleep, stress, or other medications can also play a part, and a good clinician will look at all of them.

Please don’t stop a GLP-1 or a psychiatric medication on your own because of a mood change. Talk with your prescriber first so you can make a plan together.1,16

Worried about how your medications affect your mood? Talk to our team about a supervised medication review and what a residential stay looks like.

Call (888) 907-7075Free, confidential consultation

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Taking a GLP-1 with antidepressants or antipsychotics

Short answer: many people take both. The main thing to know is that GLP-1 drugs slow stomach emptying, which may change how well other pills are absorbed.4 Your prescribers should know about every medicine you take.

The Wegovy label advises extra monitoring when a GLP-1 is used with oral medicines that have a narrow therapeutic index or that need clinical monitoring.4 “Narrow therapeutic index” means a small change in blood level can matter. Some psychiatric medicines are monitored with blood tests, so ask your prescriber whether yours needs a closer look when you start or change a GLP-1.

Other points to raise with your care team:

  • Stomach side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common on GLP-1s.4 Let your prescribers know if stomach upset makes it hard to take your other medicines on schedule.
  • Dehydration. The labels warn that losing fluids from vomiting or diarrhea can lead to kidney problems.4
  • Low blood sugar. The risk goes up when a GLP-1 is combined with insulin or certain diabetes pills.4
  • Surgery or sedation. Because GLP-1s slow the stomach, tell the team before any procedure that needs anesthesia or deep sedation.4
  • Birth control. Tirzepatide can make birth control pills less reliable for a time after starting or after a dose increase.5

Also worried about your liver or kidneys? Read what we know about medications and liver health.

Read about medications and the liver

GLP-1s and antipsychotic weight gain

Short answer: recent trials show semaglutide can help people lose weight gained while taking antipsychotics, without worsening psychotic symptoms. No GLP-1 drug has an FDA approval specifically for antipsychotic-related weight gain, so this is a decision for you and your prescriber.4,9,10

Weight gain and blood sugar problems are common with second-generation antipsychotics, and they add to heart and diabetes risk for people with schizophrenia.9 Here is what the newest research shows:

Study Who took part What it found
HISTORI trial, Denmark (2025)9 154 adults with schizophrenia on antipsychotics, with prediabetes and overweight or obesity Over 30 weeks, semaglutide lowered weight by about 9 kg more than placebo. 81% reached normal blood sugar, vs 19% on placebo. No change in psychotic symptom scores.
COaST trial, Australia (2025)10 31 adults with schizophrenia taking clozapine, with obesity About 14% weight loss with semaglutide vs under 1% on placebo at 36 weeks. No change in clozapine levels or psychotic symptoms. The trial stopped early because of drug shortages.
Review of 95 trials (2026)11 5,898 people with schizophrenia on antipsychotics Semaglutide had the largest weight effect of 39 medicines studied, followed by liraglutide, topiramate, and metformin.

These are short trials, and stomach side effects were more common with semaglutide.9 They tell us a GLP-1 can be one tool. They don’t answer the bigger question many people ask us: whether their antipsychotic or antidepressant dose, or the medication itself, is still the right fit.

If medication-related weight gain is part of why you want a change, that is a fair reason to ask for a medication review. Any change to an antipsychotic should be planned and supervised, because stopping quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms and relapse. Read more about antipsychotic withdrawal and deprescribing.

Can Ozempic reduce alcohol cravings?

Short answer: maybe, but it is still research. Early studies suggest semaglutide may reduce cravings and some drinking, but no GLP-1 drug is FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder.12,13

Study Type What it found
Hendershot et al., 202512 Small randomized trial, 48 adults with alcohol use disorder, 9 weeks Low-dose semaglutide reduced alcohol drunk in a lab session, drinks per drinking day, and weekly cravings. It did not change how many days people drank.
Lähteenvuo et al., 202513 Swedish national records, 227,866 people with alcohol use disorder Semaglutide and liraglutide use was linked to fewer alcohol-related hospital stays. Observational, so it can’t prove cause.
Wang et al., 202414 U.S. health records Semaglutide was linked to lower rates of new and recurring alcohol use disorder diagnoses. Also observational.

The researchers themselves call for larger, longer trials.12 If you are struggling with drinking, there are proven treatments available now, including counseling, peer support, and approved medications. Read about alternatives to alcohol or our addiction treatment program.

Questions to ask your prescriber

  • Could a GLP-1 change how my psychiatric medication is absorbed? Do I need extra monitoring?
  • What should I do if nausea or vomiting makes it hard to keep my other pills down?
  • Which mood changes should I report, and to whom?
  • Is my weight gain likely related to a medication I take? Is a medication review an option?
  • If I want to lower or stop a psychiatric medication someday, what would a supervised plan look like?

Bring a full list of your medications and supplements to each appointment, so every prescriber is working from the same picture.

When to get help right away

  • Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm. It is free and open 24/7.15
  • Call your prescriber right away for severe stomach pain that won’t go away, which can be a sign of pancreatitis. Call 911 for signs of a serious allergic reaction or any emergency.4
  • Call your prescriber if vomiting or diarrhea keeps you from staying hydrated or taking your usual medicines.4
  • Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for confidential treatment referrals for mental health or substance use, at no cost, 24/7.17

How ATMC can help

Alternative to Meds Center is a residential treatment center in Sedona, Arizona. Many people come to us because they want a careful, supervised look at the psychiatric medications they take, including side effects such as weight gain, low energy, or feeling flat.

Medication can have a real role in mental health care. Physical health matters too. Every resident gets lab testing and a medical assessment, and chef-prepared whole-food meals are part of daily life here. Each week you meet with your therapist, the medical director and nursing team, a naturopathic doctor, and your care manager. Decisions about your treatment, including any medication change, are made with you.

If you decide to reduce a psychiatric medication, our team plans each step and adjusts the pace as you respond. Our Medical Director describes how that works:

“Our medical and nursing teams collaborate closely to monitor each client’s tapering plan, assess progress, and make adjustments as clinically indicated. The team regularly evaluates symptoms, sleep patterns, mood, and overall well-being to support a safe and individualized process.”
Kimberli Galloway, PMHNP-BC, Medical Director

Learn more about supervised medication tapering, our dual diagnosis program, blood tests for depression and anxiety, and antidepressants and antipsychotics.

See where you’d stayTour our Sedona residence →Hear from clientsReal recovery stories →

Talk to our admissions team. Ask about medication reviews, supervised tapering, what a stay looks like, and insurance. Family members are welcome to call.

Call (888) 907-7075Free, confidential consultation

Prefer to write? Contact admissions online →

Ozempic and mental health FAQs

Does Ozempic cause depression?
Current evidence says no. In January 2026, the FDA reviewed 91 placebo-controlled trials and found no increased risk of depression, anxiety, irritability, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts with GLP-1 drugs.1 If your mood changes while taking Ozempic, still tell your prescriber, because your own experience matters.
Did the FDA remove the suicide warning from Wegovy and Zepbound?
Yes. On January 13, 2026, the FDA asked the makers of Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda to remove the suicidal behavior and ideation warning after finding no increased risk.1 The current Wegovy and Zepbound labels show the warning as removed in February 2026.4,5
Can I take Ozempic with an antidepressant?
Many people do, but ask your prescriber first. GLP-1 drugs slow stomach emptying, which may affect how other pills are absorbed, and the labels advise extra monitoring for some oral medicines.4 Make sure everyone who prescribes for you knows your full medication list.
Can Ozempic help with weight gain from antipsychotics?
Recent trials found semaglutide helped people with schizophrenia lose weight gained on antipsychotics, without worsening psychotic symptoms.9,10 It is not FDA-approved specifically for that use. Talk with your prescriber, and consider asking for a broader medication review too.
Does Ozempic reduce alcohol cravings?
It might, but this is still research. A small 2025 trial found low-dose semaglutide reduced cravings and how much people drank on drinking days.12 No GLP-1 drug is approved for alcohol use disorder, and larger trials are underway.
Should I stop my psychiatric medication if I start a GLP-1?
No, not on your own. Stopping a psychiatric medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or a return of symptoms.16 If you want to reduce or stop a medication, make a plan with your prescriber or a supervised program.
What should I do if I feel suicidal on a GLP-1?
Call or text 988 right away, or call 911 in an emergency.15 Then tell your prescriber. The FDA asks clinicians to refer anyone with suicidal thoughts for a mental health evaluation, whatever the cause.1

Sources:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Requests Removal of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Warning from Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications. Drug Safety Communication, January 13, 2026. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Update on FDA’s ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients taking a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Drug Safety Communication, January 11, 2024. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

3. European Medicines Agency. Meeting highlights from the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) 8-11 April 2024. April 12, 2024. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

4. Novo Nordisk. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets, prescribing information. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. Revised June 2026. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

5. Eli Lilly and Company. ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection, prescribing information. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. Revised August 2026. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

6. Novo Nordisk. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, prescribing information. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

7. Eli Lilly and Company. MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection, prescribing information. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

8. Wang W, Volkow ND, Berger NA, Davis PB, Kaelber DC, Xu R. Association of semaglutide with risk of suicidal ideation in a real-world cohort. Nat Med. 2024;30(1):168-176. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02672-2. PMID: 38182782. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

9. Ganeshalingam AA, Uhrenholt N, Arnfred S, et al. Semaglutide Treatment of Antipsychotic-Treated Patients With Schizophrenia, Prediabetes, and Obesity: The HISTORI Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82(11):1065-1074. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.2332. PMID: 40900607. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

10. Siskind D, Baker A, Arnautovska U, et al. Efficacy and safety of semaglutide versus placebo for people with schizophrenia on clozapine with obesity (COaST): a phase 2, multi-centre, participant and investigator-blinded, randomised controlled trial in Australia. Lancet Psychiatry. 2025;12(7):493-503. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00129-4. PMID: 40506208. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

11. Stogios N, Agarwal SM, Maksyutynska K, et al. Pharmacological Interventions for Weight Reduction in Patients With Schizophrenia Treated With Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2026;83(9):912-920. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.1814. PMID: 42418179. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

12. Hendershot CS, Bremmer MP, Paladino MB, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82(4):395-405. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789. PMID: 39937469. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

13. Lähteenvuo M, Tiihonen J, Solismaa A, Tanskanen A, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Taipale H. Repurposing Semaglutide and Liraglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82(1):94-98. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.3599. PMID: 39535805. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

14. Wang W, Volkow ND, Berger NA, Davis PB, Kaelber DC, Xu R. Associations of semaglutide with incidence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder in real-world population. Nat Commun. 2024;15(1):4548. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-48780-6. PMID: 38806481. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

15. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988lifeline.org. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

16. National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Medications. [cited 2026 Oct 20]

17. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s National Helpline. [cited 2026 Oct 20]


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. John Motl, M.D.

Dr. Motl is currently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, and Board eligible in Neurology and licensed in the state of Arizona.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine.  Dr. Motl has studied Medical Acupuncture at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at U.C.L.A.

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Medical disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never start, stop, or change a prescription medication without consulting a qualified healthcare professional who understands your medical history. If you are experiencing an immediate medical or safety emergency, call 911.