Wegovy & Ozempic: Is Vision Loss a Hidden Risk with Your Weight Loss Medication

Wegovy & Ozempic: Is Vision Loss a Hidden Risk with Your Weight Loss Medication?

In the rapidly expanding world of weight loss and diabetes management, medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, which contain the active ingredient semaglutide, have revolutionized treatment. However, recent developments from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are shedding light on a potentially severe, albeit rare, side effect: vision loss. For millions relying on these drugs, understanding this new warning is crucial.




What is Semaglutide and Why Is It So Popular?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a class of drugs that helps manage blood sugar levels, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. Marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic (and Rybelsus) for Type 2 diabetes, its efficacy has made it a blockbuster drug globally. Its popularity stems from its ability to help patients achieve significant weight reduction and improved glycemic control.

The Alarming Concern: Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)

According to an announcement by the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), semaglutide has been linked to Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). NAION is a serious eye condition that can lead to sudden, painless vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve. It is the second most common cause of vision loss due to optic nerve damage after glaucoma.




How Rare Is This Side Effect?

The EMA indicates that NAION may occur in approximately 1 out of every 10,000 patients taking semaglutide. While this is classified as "very rare," its potential impact—permanent vision loss—makes it a significant concern.

A study published in March involving over 350,000 diabetic patients further highlighted this risk. It found that patients treated with Ozempic for two years had more than double the risk of developing NAION compared to those on other types of diabetes medication.

EMA's Action: Updating Drug Labels

The PRAC has thoroughly reviewed all available data regarding the association between semaglutide and NAION, including non-clinical studies, clinical trials, post-market surveillance, and medical literature. As a result of this comprehensive review, the committee has recommended updating the official drug labels for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus to explicitly state that NAION is a "very rare" potential side effect.

This recommendation, which was initially sought by the EMA in December last year, is a clear signal that the possibility of this side effect, however rare, is not "zero" and should be disclosed to patients and healthcare providers. The PRAC's recommendation will now be forwarded to the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), whose opinion will then be submitted to the European Commission (EC) for a legally binding final decision applicable across all EU member states.




Novo Nordisk's Response

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of these semaglutide-based drugs, has stated that their "clinical trials and post-marketing studies have not presented a reasonable possibility that the drug caused the disease." Despite this stance, they have committed to updating the drug labels to include this new side effect information.

What This Means for You

If you are currently taking Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, or considering them, it's essential to be aware of this newly recognized potential side effect. While the risk is considered very rare, any changes in your vision, especially sudden onset of blurriness or loss of sight, should prompt immediate medical attention.

Always discuss all potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can help you weigh these factors against your individual health profile and needs.


#Wegovy

#Ozempic

#Semaglutide

#WeightLossDrugs

#VisionLoss

#SideEffects

#EyeHealth

#DiabetesMedication

#NovoNordisk

#EMA

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