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Arillotta D, Floresta G, Guirguis A, Corkery JM, Catalani V, Martinotti G, Sensi SL, Schifano F. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Related Mental Health Issues; Insights from a Range of Social Media Platforms Using a Mixed-Methods Approach. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1503. [PMID: 38002464 PMCID: PMC10669484 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs; semaglutide and others) now promises effective, non-invasive treatment of obesity for individuals with and without diabetes. Social media platforms' users started promoting semaglutide/Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment, and the associated increase in demand has contributed to an ongoing worldwide shortage of the drug associated with levels of non-prescribed semaglutide intake. Furthermore, recent reports emphasized some GLP-1 RA-associated risks of triggering depression and suicidal thoughts. Consistent with the above, we aimed to assess the possible impact of GLP-1 RAs on mental health as being perceived and discussed in popular open platforms with the help of a mixed-methods approach. Reddit posts yielded 12,136 comments, YouTube videos 14,515, and TikTok videos 17,059, respectively. Out of these posts/entries, most represented matches related to sleep-related issues, including insomnia (n = 620 matches); anxiety (n = 353); depression (n = 204); and mental health issues in general (n = 165). After the initiation of GLP-1 RAs, losing weight was associated with either a marked improvement or, in some cases, a deterioration, in mood; increase/decrease in anxiety/insomnia; and better control of a range of addictive behaviors. The challenges of accessing these medications were a hot topic as well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study documenting if and how GLP-1 RAs are perceived as affecting mood, mental health, and behaviors. Establishing a clear cause-and-effect link between metabolic diseases, depression and medications is difficult because of their possible reciprocal relationship, shared underlying mechanisms and individual differences. Further research is needed to better understand the safety profile of these molecules and their putative impact on behavioral and non-behavioral addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Arillotta
- School of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Floresta
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
- Pharmacy, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - John Martin Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Valeria Catalani
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technology (ITAB), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 21, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK; (G.F.); (A.G.); (J.M.C.); (V.C.); (G.M.)
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Kaushal S, Khan S, Alvarez Villalba CL. Increased Readmission Rates in Younger Male Patients Due to Suicidal Risk in Newly Diagnosed Depressive Disorders After Initiation of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Cureus 2022; 14:e31987. [PMID: 36589188 PMCID: PMC9797373 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depressive disorders have a prevalence of 322 million people worldwide and are a leading cause of morbidity. These disorders can affect individuals of all ages and can present over time. Due to the diversity in the presentation of depressive disorders, vigilance towards depressive disorders can lead to more timely and effective treatment. Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are the first lines of treatment for these disorders. Moreover, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black-box warning for several antidepressants, stating an increased risk of suicidality in individuals under 25 years old. However, the placement of this black-box warning has been controversial. In this study, the authors aim to investigate if there is a relationship between the use of SSRI or SNRI on patients with newly diagnosed depressive disorder and hospital readmission due to suicide-related events. Methods For this retrospective cohort study, de-identified data were obtained from the HCA Healthcare database by searching for patients newly diagnosed with depressive disorders and started on SSRIs or SNRIs. Patient data were evaluated for readmissions due to suicide-related events within 90 days of discharge from the hospital and establishing their initial SSRI/SNRI prescription. Results After data was obtained and evaluated via statistical analysis, the variables with statistical significance were: age (p-value = 0.0164) and sex (p-value = 0.0150). These two were significantly associated with the rate of readmission: younger and male patients had an increased risk of readmission due to suicide-related events within 90 days of discharge after starting SSRI, or SNRI, to treat depressive disorders. Conclusion These results support the importance of monitoring patients started on SSRI or SNRI, with particularly careful consideration in depressed young male patients.
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Naveed S, Urrutia V, Zeshan M, Akal H, Backman A, Malik S. Antidepressants and Black Box Warning: Duty to Inform or Unintended Consequence of Cautious Response. Psychiatr Ann 2021. [DOI: 10.3928/00485713-20210916-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Mills J. Antidepressants and Activation Syndrome: Decades Without Definition. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2021; 42:976-979. [PMID: 34524934 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2021.1972662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Mills
- Peninsula, a Division of Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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