Does Wegovy cause anxiety?

In this article:

• Can Wegovy cause anxiety?
• Wegovy anxiety: Why it happens
• Who is most likely to experience anxiety on Wegovy?
• Does Wegovy anxiety go away?
• What to do about Wegovy side effects like anxiety
• Wegovy alternatives

In this article

• Can Wegovy cause anxiety?
• Wegovy anxiety: Why it happens
• Who is most likely to experience anxiety on Wegovy?
• Does Wegovy anxiety go away?
• What to do about Wegovy side effects like anxiety
• Wegovy alternatives

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help with weight management in people ages 12 years and older with obesity and in adults who are overweight with at least one weight-related comorbid condition. It has also been approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity. Wegovy belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and it’s injected under the skin once weekly. Some people may wonder if Wegovy causes anxiety, either directly or as a result of other side effects like low blood sugar. Here’s what we know.

Can Wegovy cause anxiety?

Yes, Wegovy may cause anxiety and other mental health side effects, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and insomnia. However, some studies show that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) may actually lower the risk of anxiety, especially in people with diabetes. 

Here’s a summary of research findings: 

• According to a 2024 study published in Scientific Reports, people taking Wegovy had a 108% increased risk of experiencing anxiety compared to a control group. 
• The Wegovy package insert says 4% of people taking Wegovy during clinical trials reported anxiety as a side effect. In contrast, 2% of people in the placebo group noticed an increase in anxiety.
• A 2022 study found that people with diabetes who take GLP-1 agonists have a lower risk of developing anxiety. 
• In a 2024 study by Epic Research, semaglutide was the only GLP-1 receptor agonist that lowered the risk of anxiety in nondiabetic patients when compared to non-GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss medications. 

More research is needed to figure out why some people experience worsening anxiety with Wegovy while others see an improvement in mental health.  

Wegovy anxiety: Why it happens

Anxiety happens when we feel worried or fearful. It’s completely normal to feel anxious every now and then, but chronic anxiety can interfere with everyday life. Symptoms of anxiety include unmanageable worry, tension, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and fatigue. Anxiety can also lead to panic attacks, which often cause a racing heartbeat, tremors, and a sense of impending doom.

“Sometimes anxiety can be triggered by how the medication affects your body—like changes in blood sugar, dehydration, or even just the stress of a new routine,” says Eric Smith, DO, a bariatric surgeon and medical director at POP Recovery Systems.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) could be one reason why Wegovy causes anxiety, especially if you’re not eating enough due to other side effects like nausea. Eating food with a lot of added sugars and refined carbohydrates can also lead to blood sugar levels that fluctuate between extreme highs and lows.

People with Type 2 diabetes are also at risk of experiencing hypoglycemia when taking Wegovy. Wegovy helps the body release more insulin, and people with diabetes may experience low blood sugar if they produce (or receive by injection) too much insulin. However, semaglutide is prescribed for diabetes under the brand name Ozempic. So, if you’re taking Wegovy and not Ozempic, you probably don’t have diabetes. Still, talk to your doctor about this symptom to rule out any underlying causes. 

RELATED: Wegovy vs. Ozempic

Another idea is that Wegovy affects the level of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine affects mood and the freeze, fight, or flight response, among many other functions. A 2020 study linked dopamine in the midbrain to heightened levels of anxiety, and an earlier MIT study found that a dopamine imbalance caused more paranoid behavior in rats. So, if Wegovy upsets your dopamine balance, you may feel more anxious and wary.

Furthermore, if you’re dehydrated, you might feel dizzy, confused, and like your mouth is stuffed with cotton—symptoms that overlap with those of anxiety. You might experience dehydration while taking Wegovy if the medication causes you to vomit or have diarrhea. Or, you may feel too nauseous to drink. 

Who is most likely to experience anxiety on Wegovy?

According to the 2024 Scientific Reports study, people who were female, Black, or under the age of 50 years were more likely to experience anxiety while taking Wegovy.

Does Wegovy anxiety go away? 

Most side effects of Wegovy tend to go away in a few weeks, once the body gets used to the medication, but there isn’t enough research to say whether anxiety is one of them. 

What to do about Wegovy side effects like anxiety

Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience adverse effects of Wegovy, like anxiety. Both Dr. Smith and Charles Sweet, MD, a medical advisor at Linear Health, say healthcare providers may do the following to ease your anxiety symptoms:

• Lower the dose of Wegovy: Your healthcare provider may have you return to the highest tolerable dose of Wegovy, which may be lower than the standard maintenance dose.
• Increase doses more slowly: This may give your body more time to adapt to Wegovy and decrease the risk of potential side effects.
• Pause Wegovy altogether: This is a way to determine whether Wegovy truly is to blame for your anxiety symptoms. 

Your healthcare provider can also teach you self-regulating techniques to use when you feel anxious. Dr. Sweet recommends breathing exercises (such as resonant breathing), meditation, and other mindfulness activities that promote relaxation. He also suggests sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, staying active, and watching your nutrition (not just calories) to keep anxiety at bay.

Depending on the suspected cause of the anxiety (like dehydration or low blood sugar), your healthcare provider may also suggest some changes to your daily routine. Dr. Small says to eat small, balanced meals and drink plenty of water.

“Also, it’s helpful to track your symptoms,” he says. “If the anxiety started right after you began the medication or just after a dose increase, that can be a clue that it’s related.” 

If the benefits of Wegovy outweigh the risks of its side effects, your healthcare provider may suggest working with a mental health professional to better manage your anxiety symptoms. You can also discuss prescription medications for anxiety. 

Wegovy alternatives 

If Wegovy is causing you to feel anxious, your healthcare provider may prescribe a different GLP-1 receptor agonist, such as Zepbound (tirzepatide) or Saxenda (liraglutide) for weight loss.

Anxiety is a possible side effect with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, but Dr. Smith says people may respond differently to each medication. “If one causes side effects like anxiety, switching to another might help.” 

Dr. Sweet agrees. “These medications work similarly, but they have their differences in regards to the ways the body absorbs them, so their individual side effects can vary,” he adds. 

There are pros and cons of each Wegovy alternative, so your healthcare provider will carefully consider your health history and risk factors before suggesting one. For example: 

• Wegovy offers cardiovascular benefits.
• Zepbound targets a second hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) to promote weight loss.
• Saxenda is a daily injection that may not be as effective for weight loss as Wegovy. 

A few other GLP-1 agonists are also available, but they’re currently only FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. Your healthcare provider can still write a prescription for these medications to help you lose weight, but your health insurance may not cover them for off-label use. These medications include:

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Byetta (exenatide)
• Bydureon BCise (extended-release exenatide) 

A SingleCare prescription discount card can help you save money on these medications if insurance doesn’t cover them. 

Bottom line

Medications affect people differently, and although anxiety isn’t a common side effect of Wegovy, it is possible. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice symptoms of anxiety while taking Wegovy. They may be able to alter your dose or recommend anxiety medication if they feel like the benefits of Wegovy outweigh the risks of anxiety.