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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Liraglutide | Research article

Exploration of the potential association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database

Authors: Jianxing Zhou, You Zheng, Baohua Xu, Songjun Long, Li-e Zhu, Yunhui Liu, Chengliang Li, Yifan Zhang, Maobai Liu, Xuemei Wu

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Establishing whether there is a potential relationship between glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors (SSIBs) is crucial for public safety. This study investigated the potential association between GLP-1RAs and SSIBs by exploring the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Methods

A disproportionality analysis was conducted using post-marketing data from the FAERS repository (2018 Q1 to 2022 Q4). SSIB cases associated with GLP-1RAs were identified and analyzed through disproportionality analysis using the information component. The parametric distribution with a goodness-of-fit test was employed to analyze the time-to-onset, and the Ω shrinkage was used to evaluate the potential effect of co-medication on the occurrence of SSIBs.

Results

In total, 204 cases of SSIBs associated with GLP-1RAs, including semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and albiglutide, were identified in the FAERS database. Time-of-onset analysis revealed no consistent mechanism for the latency of SSIBs in patients receiving GLP-1RAs. The disproportionality analysis did not indicate an association between GLP-1RAs and SSIBs. Co-medication analysis revealed 81 cases with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines, which may be proxies of mental health comorbidities.

Conclusions

We found no signal of disproportionate reporting of an association between GLP-1RA use and SSIBs. Clinicians need to maintain heightened vigilance on patients premedicated with neuropsychotropic drugs. This contributes to the greater acceptance of GLP-1RAs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity.

Graphical Abstract

Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Exploration of the potential association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal or self-injurious behaviors: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database
Authors
Jianxing Zhou
You Zheng
Baohua Xu
Songjun Long
Li-e Zhu
Yunhui Liu
Chengliang Li
Yifan Zhang
Maobai Liu
Xuemei Wu
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03274-6

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