A new joint study from the University of Notre Dame Australia and The University of Western Australia has found no evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists, widely used for diabetes and weight management, lead to increased antidepressant use.
The research examined more than a decade of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dispensing data to assess whether GLP-1 medicines are linked to depression or related mental health concerns that lead to the dispensing of antidepressant treatment.
Using interrupted time-series analysis, the team compared antidepressant dispensing trends before and after semaglutide was added to the PBS in 2020.
Lead author Professor Osvaldo Almeida from Notre Dame’s Institute for Health Research said the results should reassure both clinicians and patients.
“Our findings indicate that GLP-1 medications are unlikely to cause mental health symptoms requiring
antidepressant treatment,” he said.
“In fact, our findings seem to suggest the opposite.”
The project brought together researchers from both universities, combining expertise in epidemiology, data analysis and clinical impact assessment.
Professor Almeida said the work reflects the strength of Western Australia’s collaborative research environment.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are used globally, and recent community concerns about their possible mental health effects made the study especially timely.
According to Professor Almeida, Australians can feel reassured that these medicines do not appear to increase depression risk.
The analysis used a 10% random sample of PBS data from 2013 to 2024 and received ethics approval from The University of Western Australia Human Research Ethics Committee.
The full paper is available in the March 2026 issue of the journal Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism.
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