<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's drugs regulator has issued a fresh warning for users of high-profile injectable diabetes and weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Therapeutic Goods Administration today updated its advice for the whole class of GLP-1 receptor agonists with warnings about the potential for suicidal thoughts, as well as an increased contraception warning for one popular brand.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The updated self-harm advice followed international signs of "potential risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/worrying-number-of-australian-businesses-paying-ransoms-to-cybercriminals/0878b922-ffaa-4216-bab1-91c04d9061fc"><strong><span>Shocking truth as companies forced to reveal ransoms they've paid</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The TGA said it consulted with the Advisory Committee on Medicines, which didn't find enough evidence to support a causal link but noted "complex interplay between mental illness and chronic endocrine disorders" for which the drugs may be prescribed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also highlighted the "potential relationship between weight loss and suicidal/self-injurious ideation".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Patients taking any of these medicines should tell their health professional if they experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or any unusual changes in mood or behaviour," the TGA recommended.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-tga-issues-new-warning-for-popular-weightloss-and-diabetes-drugs/8770669c-5639-4fa2-95f0-48d56e046fea" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The warning covers Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The TGA also couldn't rule out a link between Mounjaro and reduced effectiveness of oral contraception.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Patients taking tirzepatide are advised to switch to a non-oral contraceptive or add a barrier method of contraception for four weeks after first taking the medicine and for four weeks after each increase in the dose," the TGA said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-accused-from-high-profile-family-denies-raping-woman/701be1cb-3f9b-4abd-b9ca-0b3994479daf"><strong><span>Man from high-profile family denies rape</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/teen-falls-from-car-mornington-peninsula-st-andrews-beach-victoria/dac7dfc3-67d4-44d9-87c3-85993abaccfc" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Teen charged after schoolies celebrations go horribly wrong</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>None of the class of drugs should be used during pregnancy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The injectables, first used to treat type 2 diabetes, have become wildly popular since their appetite suppression properties were discovered.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They're used to treat obesity, as well as by many for general weight loss.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But researchers have also raised several health concerns, such as arthritis and stomach issues, while noting the potential for health benefits for overweight people stemming from weight loss.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Potential long-term side effects of the new drugs are yet to be fully understood.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.</span></strong></div></div>