Those concerned about the effects of popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on their mental health may soon find peace of mind.

A new study suggests GLP-1RA drugs, a class of glucose-lowering drugs that are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, may not cause increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older adults.

Researchers from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy wanted to study the potential association between these drugs and increased suicidal thoughts and self-harm. This came after the European Medicines Agency made a statement about its review of the glucose-lowering drugs following anecdotal evidence of negative mental health impacts.

The Florida researchers studied Medicare data from over 21,000 adults ages 66 and older with Type 2 diabetes, no history of suicidal thoughts, and a treatment plan consisting of either the popular glucose-lowering drugs or less-popular versions.

They then used data from Medicare claims to compare the occurrence of suicidal behaviors among patients taking the popular GLP-1RA medications with similar patients with a prescription for other glucose-lowering drugs.

The researchers found that the use of GLP-1RA drugs did not cause an increase in suicidal thoughts or behaviors.  Researchers found no difference in the risk of suicidal thoughts between those taking the popular glucose-lowering drugs and those taking less popular versions.

More research is needed to ensure the findings hold for younger populations, of course. But for now, it seems the popular weight-loss drugs aren’t the threat to mental health some believed them to be.