Dubai: A new US warning about a rare eye condition associated with popular diabetes and weight-loss medicines has raised fresh questions for UAE patients, as recent local research highlights gaps in medicine counselling and the need for more evidence on long-term safety.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered updated safety warnings for GLP-1 medicines, including Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, following a review of clinical trials and other safety data.
The concern is non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. It can lead to sudden, painless and sometimes permanent vision loss, usually affecting one eye.
The FDA has not advised patients to stop taking these medicines as a precaution. Its findings point to a rare potential risk, without establishing that the treatments directly cause the condition.
Research published in the UAE this year adds a perspective for UAE residents. An October study from Abu Dhabi examined eye complications among patients receiving semaglutide or tirzepatide, while separate investigations identified shortcomings in prescription checks, pharmacist knowledge, and patient counselling.
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How serious is the eye risk?
