The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK is conducting an investigation into reports of suicidal thoughts associated with drugs produced by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly Co. The MHRA has received numerous reports of adverse drug reactions possibly linked to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo's diabetes and weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. They have also received reports connected to liraglutide, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Saxenda.
In response to these reports, the MHRA is examining all GLP-1 drugs available in the UK, including Sanofi's lixisenatide, Eli Lilly's dulaglutide, and a diabetes drug from AstraZeneca that uses the active ingredient exenatide.
Alison Cave, the MHRA's chief safety officer, stated that they are reviewing safety data on the risk of suicidal thoughts associated with these drugs, which are commonly used in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. The agency plans to carefully consider all available evidence and provide further advice accordingly.
The MHRA contacted Novo Nordisk earlier this week, requesting a review of cases that potentially link their drugs to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. However, there has been no response from spokespersons of Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, or Sanofi regarding this investigation.
The investigation by the MHRA began on July 12, causing a decline in the shares of both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The European Medicines Agency has also started to investigate similar adverse events, prompted by reports from the Icelandic Medicines Agency related to Saxenda and Ozempic. Notably, suicidal behavior is not currently listed as a side effect in the drugs' product information in the European Union.