GLP-1 and Anxiety: What the Labels and the FDA Say
In this guide
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber or a qualified professional.
If you are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are searching for GLP-1 and anxiety, here is the short answer. Anxiety is not among the common side effects in adults in the current US labels for Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic or Mounjaro. The labels do list anxiety, irritability and mood changes as possible signs of low blood sugar, a risk that is higher for people also on insulin or a sulfonylurea. In January 2026, after a large review, the FDA said it found no increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with these medicines, and no increased risk of anxiety or depression. Your feelings still matter. If your mood has changed, tell your prescriber.
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Key points
- Adult label data do not list anxiety as a common side effect. A Wegovy trial in teens reported it in 4% versus 2% on placebo.
- Anxiety, irritability and mood changes are listed as signs of low blood sugar.
- The FDA asked for the suicidal behavior and ideation warning to be removed from the Wegovy, Zepbound and Saxenda labels in 2026.
- New or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or unusual mood changes are always worth telling your provider about.
For physical side effects and how long they tend to last, see the GLP-1 side effects timeline.
What the labels list about anxiety and mood
Here is what we found in the current prescribing information on DailyMed:
- Adults. None of the four labels lists anxiety or depression in its table of common adverse reactions for adults.
- Teens. In the Wegovy trial of patients aged 12 and older, anxiety was reported in 4% on Wegovy versus 2% on placebo.
- Low blood sugar. The patient information for Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and Mounjaro lists anxiety, irritability or mood changes among the signs of low blood sugar, together with sweating, shakiness, a fast heartbeat, hunger and confusion.
The labels say the risk of low blood sugar is higher when these medicines are used with insulin or a sulfonylurea. If you take one of those and you suddenly feel anxious, shaky or sweaty, ask your prescriber how to recognize and treat low blood sugar. Your prescriber and pharmacist set your plan.
What changed about the suicidal thoughts warning
When Wegovy and Zepbound were first approved for weight reduction, their labels included a Warnings and Precautions section called Suicidal Behavior and Ideation. The FDA says similar language appears in the labels of other weight-loss medicines and is based on reports with a variety of older ones.
On January 13, 2026, the FDA asked the makers of Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound to remove it. The current Wegovy and Zepbound labels on DailyMed list the Suicidal Behavior and Ideation section as removed in February 2026. The FDA described what it reviewed:
| What the FDA looked at | What it found |
|---|---|
| 91 placebo-controlled trials, 107,910 patients | No increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, or of anxiety, depression, irritability or psychosis |
| Insurance claims data on about 2.2 million people with type 2 diabetes | No increased risk of intentional self-harm compared with another diabetes medicine class |
| Published observational and pooled studies | Overall, they do not support a causal link |
A separate 2024 analysis of four semaglutide 2.4 mg trials in people without known major mental health conditions found no increase in depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts versus placebo. In those trials, 1% or fewer of participants reported suicidal thoughts or behavior, with no difference between groups. Several authors worked for or received fees from the manufacturer, which the paper discloses.
The FDA’s advice to patients did not change in one important way. In its words: “Tell your health care professional if you experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.” It also says to keep taking your medicine as prescribed and to discuss concerns with your health care professional.
Tirzepatide and mental health
People also search for tirzepatide side effects and mental health. The FDA action covered Zepbound (tirzepatide). Its label, like the Mounjaro label, does not list anxiety or depression among common adverse reactions. We found little research on tirzepatide and everyday anxiety, so this page does not go further.
What you can do
Population studies describe groups. They cannot tell you what is happening to you. If you feel more anxious, low or irritable than usual, that is worth taking seriously, whatever the cause.
- Tell your prescriber. Be specific about what changed and when.
- Do not stop or skip your medicine on your own. Talk it through first.
- Keep a simple mood note next to your shot dates for a week or two.
- Lean on support. A trusted person, your primary care provider or a mental health professional can help. The 988 Lifeline is there for anyone in distress, not only in a crisis.
When to call a clinician or get care
When to call: if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 now. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
From the FDA and the labels:
- New or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. The FDA says to tell your health care professional.
- Signs of low blood sugar, such as anxiety, shakiness, sweating, confusion or a fast heartbeat, if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea.
- A racing or pounding heart that lasts for several minutes. The Wegovy medication guide says to tell your provider.
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, fainting or a very rapid heartbeat. Get medical help right away.
This list is not complete.
Frequently asked questions
Can GLP-1 medicines cause anxiety?
Anxiety is not a common adverse reaction in adults in the current Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic or Mounjaro labels. A Wegovy trial in teens reported it in 4% versus 2% on placebo. The labels also list anxiety as a possible sign of low blood sugar. Tell your prescriber if you notice a change.
Does tirzepatide cause anxiety?
The Zepbound and Mounjaro labels do not list anxiety among common side effects. They list anxiety, irritability or mood changes as signs of low blood sugar, which is more likely with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
Is the suicidal thoughts warning still on Wegovy and Zepbound?
No. In January 2026 the FDA asked for it to be removed after finding no increased risk, and the current labels show it as removed. The FDA still advises telling your health care professional about new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or unusual mood changes.
Where can I get help right now?
Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Keeping track, gently
A short daily note on mood, sleep and side effects next to your shot dates can make a conversation with your prescriber easier. The free Dosinha side-effect check-in and shot log keep that record so you can notice patterns and share them. They are not a mental health tool and do not treat anxiety or mood changes. Look around Dosinha. Related: feeling off after a GLP-1 dose, GLP-1 night sweats and GLP-1 dizziness.
Sources
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA requests removal of suicidal behavior and ideation warning from GLP-1 RA medications. Drug Safety Communication, 2026.
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy and Ozempic prescribing information and medication guides, DailyMed. Labels revised 2026.
- Eli Lilly. Zepbound prescribing information and patient information, DailyMed. Label revised 2026.
- Eli Lilly. Mounjaro prescribing information and patient information, DailyMed. Label revised 2026.
- Wadden TA et al. Psychiatric safety of semaglutide for weight management in people without known major psychopathology. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2024.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call, text or chat 988.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your prescriber or a qualified professional.