Prescription of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has grown at a much faster rate among individuals with mood disorders than the general population, according to a
study issued by the
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Why It’s Relevant
An estimated one in eight U.S. adults is
currently taking a GLP-1RA. Among individuals with mood disorders, these medications may mitigate psychotropic-associated weight gain and cardiometabolic dysfunction. GLP-1RAs have also been associated with improved mood symptoms, reduction in alcohol or substance use, and improved cognitive function.
By the Numbers
- Among more than 27 million privately insured adults in the MarketScan database, 9.4% had a mood disorder diagnosis (88% major depressive disorder/12% bipolar disorder). Adults with a mood disorder were younger, more likely to be female, more likely to be obese, and more likely to have type 2 diabetes.
- Among adults with mood disorders, GLP-1RA prescription fills increased from 1.5% in 2018 to 7.2% 2023. Prescription fills for metformin remained stable during this period, at about 6%.
- Psychiatrists accounted for just 6% of prescriptions for GLP-1RAs, with little change from 2018 to 2023. Family practitioners and nurse practitioners prescribed the most, with the share of the latter increasing 25-fold since 2018.
The Other Side
The insurance data only included basic diagnostic codes and didn’t provide the indication for the GLP-1RA prescription, which may misclassify GLP-1RA use and underreport disease, the researchers noted.
Takeaway Message
“Although anecdotally practitioners often report a significant reduction in craving and use of alcohol, substances, and tobacco with the prescription of GLP-1 RAs, it remains aspirational as to whether these agents are definitively effective in the treatment or prevention of any psychiatric disorder,” according to the author of a related
commentary. “In the interim, evidence-based prescription of GLP-1 RAs in persons with [serious mental illness or substance use disorders] holds promise to improve their health and well-being and possibly reduce the excess mortality, which is a strategic imperative in psychiatry.”
Related Information
Source
Mason T. Breitzig, et al. Prevalence of GLP-1 receptor agonist use among privately insured individuals with mood disorders.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Published June 1, 2026. doi:
doi.org/10.4088/JCP.26br16352
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