Skip to main content

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Increases Likelihood of Antidepressant Prescription

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 15, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2024 -- Individuals taking glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists have a greater risk for subsequently being dispensed antidepressants, according to a study published online April 23 in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism.

Osvaldo P. Almeida, Ph.D., from University of Notre Dame in Fremantle, Australia, and colleagues assessed whether dispensing of GLP-1 receptor agonists is associated with increased dispensing of antidepressants. The analysis included a 10 percent random sample of the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data (2012 to 2022).

The researchers found that 358,075 of 1.7 million individuals were dispensed antidepressants, and 8,495 of the 24,783 dispensed a GLP-1 receptor agonist were also dispensed an antidepressant in 2022 (odds ratio, 1.44). Among 24,103 individuals dispensed a GLP-1 receptor agonist between 2012 and 2021, 8,083 were dispensed antidepressants in 2022 (odds ratio, 1.52). Among 1.2 million individuals who had not been dispensed antidepressants in 2012, there was a heightened risk for being dispensed an antidepressant between 2013 and 2022 following the dispensing of a GLP-1 receptor agonist (hazard ratio, 1.19).

"Individuals exposed to GLP-1 receptor agonists are at greater risk of being dispensed antidepressants," the authors write. "The possible impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on the mood of consumers requires ongoing vigilance and further research."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Semaglutide Boosts Kidney Outcomes With Obesity + Cardiovascular Disease

TUESDAY, May 28, 2024 -- Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide shows a benefit for kidney outcomes in people with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease...

Mental Disorders May Be Transmitted Within Teen Peer Networks

FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 -- Mental disorders may be transmitted within an adolescent peer network, according to a study published online May 22 in JAMA Psychiatry. Jussi Alho, Ph.D...

Parental Legal System Involvement Linked to Adverse Child Mental Health

THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 -- Parental legal system involvement may negatively impact child mental health, according to a study published online May 23 in Pediatrics. Lilian G...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.