A South Korean study has found an association between the use of prescription weight-loss medicines and higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts, particularly among people who regained weight after taking the medication. However, the findings do not establish that the medicines directly cause these mental health problems.
Researchers led by Dr. Ki-young Sohn of Asan Medical Center analyzed health data from 27,741 adults who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2022. The group included 846 people who reported using prescription weight-loss medication and 26,895 who did not.
The study found that people who had used weight-loss medication were more likely to report depression and suicidal thoughts than non-users. Reports from South Korean media based on the study said medication users had about 1.9 times the likelihood of depression and 2.7 times the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
Weight Regain Associated With Higher Risk
Researchers also examined people who regained weight after using the medication. Among this group, the likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts was more than four times higher than among people who had not used weight-loss medication, according to the study’s findings.
The researchers said the findings point to a need for greater attention to mental health when treating people with weight-management medicines, particularly when significant weight regain occurs after treatment.
FDA Review Found No Increased GLP-1 Risk
The findings come amid ongoing research into the mental-health safety of GLP-1 medicines, including drugs used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.
In January 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said its comprehensive evaluation found no increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. The review included 91 placebo-controlled clinical trials involving more than 107,000 participants, as well as a large FDA Sentinel System study. The agency requested removal of the suicidal-behavior warning from the labeling of certain GLP-1 medicines, including liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide.
The FDA said the totality of available evidence did not support a causal relationship between GLP-1 medicines and suicidal thoughts or behavior. It has advised patients not to stop prescribed GLP-1 medicines without consulting their healthcare professionals and to report new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or unusual changes in mood or behavior.
The South Korean findings therefore add to an ongoing area of research but should be interpreted as an observed association rather than evidence that weight-loss medicines directly cause depression or suicidal thoughts.