A new study has linked the use of prescription weight-loss drugs with higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts, with researchers finding an even stronger association among people who regained weight after treatment.
Researchers at Asan Medical Center in South Korea analyzed data from 27,741 adults who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2022. The participants included 10,908 men and 16,833 women.
Of the total, 846 participants reported taking medication prescribed by a doctor for weight control during the previous year, while 26,895 had not used weight-loss drugs. The study did not distinguish between different types of weight-loss medication.
The findings showed that 22.1% of weight-loss drug users reported experiencing depressive feelings for at least two consecutive weeks, compared with 11.4% of people who did not use the medications.
Suicidal thoughts were reported by 9.9% of users compared with 4.5% of non-users. Meanwhile, 2.2% of users reported making suicide plans compared with 1.4% of non-users, while suicide attempts were reported by 1.7% of users and 0.6% of non-users.
After accounting for other factors, researchers found that weight-loss medication users had 93% higher odds of depression and 168% higher odds of suicidal thoughts compared with non-users. They were also around twice as likely to seek counseling for mental health problems.
The association was particularly strong among people who gained weight after using the medication. In this group, the odds of suicidal thoughts were around 4.2 times higher than among people who did not use weight-loss drugs. They also had 1.9 times higher odds of depression and 1.8 times higher odds of seeking mental health counseling.
Researchers said the increase in depression and suicide-related indicators following weight regain could be linked to several factors. These may include possible neuropsychiatric effects of the medications as well as psychological and social stress associated with unsuccessful weight control or regaining weight after treatment.
The study, titled Association of Weight-Loss Medication Use and Weight Change with Depression and Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors, was published in the Korean Journal of Family Practice. However, the findings show an association and do not establish that weight-loss drugs directly cause depression or suicidal behavior.
Concerns over suicidal thoughts associated with weight-loss drugs have previously prompted reviews by health regulators. The US Food and Drug Administration began investigating reports involving GLP-1 drugs in 2023.
However, the FDA said in January 2026 that a comprehensive review of clinical trials, observational studies, and post-marketing data found no increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior associated with GLP-1 drugs. It subsequently asked manufacturers to remove the warning about suicidal behavior and ideation from the prescribing information for Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound.
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