Semaglutide-Associated Worsening of Atypical Anorexia Nervosa in an Adolescent Girl: Case Report

    December 2025 in “ BJPsych Open
    Lisa Liekens, Koen Kaïret, E Elst
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    TLDR Semaglutide may worsen eating disorders in vulnerable individuals.
    This case report discusses an adolescent girl with atypical anorexia nervosa who experienced worsening symptoms after using semaglutide, a medication typically prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Despite having a normal BMI, she had a fear of gaining weight, increased exercise, and decreased caloric intake. She was hospitalized with bradycardia and pericardial effusion and revealed she had been using semaglutide, prescribed due to weight-related dysphoria. After discontinuing the medication, she continued to lose weight and was later admitted to an eating disorder ward following a panic attack over a 1 kg weight gain. The report highlights the potential mental health impacts of semaglutide in vulnerable individuals and stresses the need for cautious and restrictive prescribing with careful follow-up.
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