Dubai: Millions of people worldwide taking medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy for diabetes or weight loss are being alerted to a rare but potentially serious eye condition that can cause sudden, sometimes permanent, vision loss.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered a new safety warning for a class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, following a review of clinical trials and reports of vision-related complications.
The warning concerns non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that develops when blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced. The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain, and damage can lead to sudden loss of vision.
For patients using these medicines, the key question is how common the condition is, what symptoms to watch for and whether the warning means they should reconsider their treatment.
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Affected medicines
The medicines identified in the report include Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain semaglutide, and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain tirzepatide.
These drugs are used to manage type 2 diabetes or obesity, depending on the product and its approved indications. They work through hormone-related pathways that help regulate blood sugar, appetite and food intake.
