Health officials have issued a warning that taking Ozempic may lead to sudden blindness in one eye. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) indicated that individuals using these weight-loss injections are at risk of developing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
NAION is caused by diminished blood flow to the front part of the optic nerve, typically resulting in sudden and painless vision loss in one eye. Those who have experienced this condition often describe their vision as blurry or cloudy.
This alert specifically pertains to semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for diabetes management and Wegovy for weight loss.
The MHRA noted that three reports of NAION had been documented in patients taking semaglutide, but it emphasized that the overall risk remains low—considering approximately 10.2 million packs of semaglutide have been distributed over the past five years.
Alison Cave, the chief safety officer at MHRA, remarked, “Patient safety is our top priority, and we constantly monitor the safety and effectiveness of licensed medications. While the risk of NAION for those using semaglutide is very small, it’s crucial for both patients and healthcare professionals to be aware of the symptoms.”
Cave further advised that if someone using semaglutide experiences sudden vision loss in one eye, they should urgently go to an eye casualty or A&E and report the incident through the yellow card scheme, which is set up for reporting suspected side effects.
The MHRA also pointed out that studies indicate NAION is “very rarely associated” with semaglutide, affecting about one in 10,000 individuals taking the drug.
Currently, approximately two million people in the UK are estimated to be using weight-loss injections. Some patients who previously used Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, may have transitioned to Wegovy after a significant price increase last September.
Just last week, the MHRA alleged that weight-loss medications could also potentially lead to a serious pancreatic condition. It highlighted that while acute pancreatitis is a recognized, albeit infrequent, side effect, it can cause intense abdominal pain due to inflammation of the pancreas, which assists in digestion.
The agency reported having received 1,296 safety reports of pancreatitis related to these weight-loss injections in recent years. Common side effects, however, include nausea and vomiting.
