Double-Edged Sword of Weight Loss Drugs: Wegovy's Use in Mental Health Raises Questions Amid Suicide Concerns

U.S. psychiatrists are increasingly prescribing the popular weight-loss drug from Novo Nordisk A/S NVO Wegovy to patients who have gained weight due to medicines for mental disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. 

Health plans are introducing limitations to using Wegovy and other weight-loss drugs due to increased associated costs, with Wegovy priced at $1,350 per month. 

These antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilizers can lead to significant weight gain and contribute to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, common among adults with schizophrenia.

However, understanding the most effective use of these drugs in patients with psychiatric diagnoses is still early. Moreover, patients dealing with obesity often experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety at higher rates than the average population, Reuters reported, citing the interviews conducted with ten prescribers nationwide.

Despite being a class of drugs initially used for diabetes, clinical trials for Wegovy excluded psychiatric patients. The FDA advised doctors to watch for signs of depression or suicidal thoughts in patients using the drug following reports of patients experiencing suicidal thoughts after beginning treatment with Wegovy in Europe. 

Nonetheless, Novo Nordisk hasn't found a link between Wegovy and suicidal thoughts in its safety data.

However, there's caution amongst psychiatrists specializing in eating disorders due to concerns that effective drugs like Wegovy might exacerbate patients' focus on weight loss. 

Price Action: NVO shares are down 0.09% at $158.19 on the last check Thursday.