Ariana Grande has apologised to Kanye West after he accused her of using his mental health problems to promote her new record.

In a series of tweets, the American singer said she regretted comments made yesterday in which she appeared to ask West and Drake to stop feuding so the public could focus on the release of her new single, Imagine.

Following social media backlash from West’s fans, Grande, 25, said she “hated the internet” but asked that people “stop weaponising mental health”.

It comes after West published a series of tweets attacking Canadian rapper Drake. The pair have been involved in a dispute over alleged “diss” records and allegations of betrayal.

West, who is married to reality television star Kim Kardashian West, was earlier this year forced to deny rumours his wife had ever been romantically involved with Drake.

On Thursday, West returned to the feud by posting a series of tweets including one suggesting Drake had asked permission to sample one of his songs.

Grande tweeted asking if the pair could “behave for just like a few hours so the girls can shine” before West responded, accusing her of making a “joke out of mental health”. The rapper has previously said he experiences bipolar disorder while also claiming he only suffers from insomnia.

In a subsequent series of tweets, Grande apologised for “triggering” West and wished him well.

She said: “With all due respect, I don’t need to use anyone to promote anything. Period. I was making a comment about what men were doing at the time vs. women.

“It was a joke which i understand now was probably insensitive. I apologise if I was in any way triggering and hope u feel well today.”

Responding to a fan who said she had not needed to apologise, Grande added: “For potentially triggering him? nah regardless of how I feel about a situation, I can also care about their mental health.”

Drake is yet to publicly comment.