Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Olena Malik
Topics: Ozempic, Mental Health, Health, News, Reddit
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Ozempic, Mental Health, Health, News, Reddit
Some people have shared reports of experiencing 'Ozempic personality'.
As of last year, it was reported that around one in eight adults in the US have taken a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic.
Four in ten of this figure are said to be taking it for weight loss purposes rather than to treat diabetes, despite the fact Ozempic is not cleared by the FDA for solely weight loss purposes. It has, however, been approved to treat diabetes.
Drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound are examples of GLP-1 agonists that have been approved by the FDA for weight loss.
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Away from what people are taking Ozempic for, some users have been discussing an unexpected side effect of the drug: personality changes or, as they've coined, 'Ozempic personality'.
This is the suggestion that those who are taking Ozempic are experiencing changes to their mood.
Some said they've experienced a negative mood specifically and claim the drug has caused increased anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation.
A study has found no links between GLP-1 medications and suicidal ideation however, Healthline reports.
One Ozempic-user has taken to Reddit to share their experience. They questioned: "Has anyone’s personality change since being on Ozempic or its counterparts?"
They continued: "Personally, I’ve been on this for a year (no weight loss but help regulate my T2) and I’m being told that 'I’ve changed'.
"TBH I feel like I have, I have minimal passion for anything, very monotone and no enthusiasm. I hear good news I’m respond with 'okay'.
"Things I enjoy seems to be a chore including relationships, sports, work, family time etc."
Replying to the thread, someone else wrote: "The Ozempic personality change! Seems like I get mad easily too right now. I tried to skip a week dose, but my mood swings are still there."
On a separate post, someone else explained that they'd had an 'Ozempic personality shift' - something 'no one warned them about'.
"I swear I’ve become way more chill about food, but also slightly more aggressive about dumb things," they said.
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson told UNILAD: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We recommend patients take these prescription medications only for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
"We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety.
"We recommend that any patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP-1 RA medicines, including Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide injection), report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.