Case report: semaglutide may have triggered first-ever suicide attempt in elderly man with no psychiatric history | Research

The takeaway

A man in his late 70s with no psychiatric history developed restlessness, depressive mood, and attempted suicide one month after starting semaglutide, with psychiatric symptoms improving after drug discontinuation.

No psychiatric history + first attempt
An elderly diabetic man with no prior mental health issues attempted suicide one month after starting semaglutide—highlighting the need for mood monitoring

What the researchers found

Late 70s male; no psychiatric history; T2DM. Developed restlessness + depressive mood ~1 month after semaglutide start. First suicide attempt (impulsive). Symptoms improved after semaglutide discontinuation.

Why it matters

While umbrella reviews find no population-level suicidal risk signal, individual case reports like this highlight that some patients may be vulnerable. The absence of psychiatric history makes this case particularly notable.

How the study worked

Single case report with temporal association.

What this study cannot tell us

Single case. Cannot prove causation. Temporal association could be coincidental. Other factors may have contributed. Very rare event.

How to read the evidence

Single case report. Cannot establish causation but important for safety vigilance.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

This case, alongside the broader suicidality surveillance data, suggests that while overall GLP-1 drug risk is low, individual monitoring—especially in elderly patients initiating treatment—remains important.

Questions still open

Are elderly patients more susceptible to GLP-1 psychiatric effects?
Should mood screening be routine when starting semaglutide?
What mechanism could cause semaglutide-related mood changes?

Common questions

Can semaglutide cause depression or suicidal thoughts?

Population-level studies find no significant overall risk, but this case report describes a man with no psychiatric history who became depressed and attempted suicide after starting semaglutide. While very rare, this highlights the importance of monitoring mood changes when starting GLP-1 medications.

Should I worry about mental health effects on semaglutide?

The overall risk appears very low based on large studies. However, if you or a family member notice unexplained mood changes, restlessness, or depressive symptoms after starting semaglutide, contact your healthcare provider promptly. This case resolved after stopping the medication.

Read the original research

Association of semaglutide use with depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior in a patient with type 2 diabetes: A case report.

The Journal of international medical research, 53(7), 3000605251349393

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Stojkovska, Anisija; Rus Prelog, Polona; Kokalj Palandacic, Anja. (2025). Association of semaglutide use with depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior in a patient with type 2 diabetes: A case report.. The Journal of international medical research, 53(7), 3000605251349393. https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605251349393