Common medications for diabetes and weight loss can have unexpected side effects.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and/or obesity were associated with visual impairment in a small study at the University of British Columbia.
Some common GLP-1 drugs include Ozempic and Wegovy, which contains semaglutide as the active ingredients, and Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contains tilzepatide.
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In the study, nine patients who were using GLP-1 developed “ophthalmic complications,” according to the researchers. According to the survey results, the average age of the patients was 57.4 years old.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and/or obesity have been associated with visual acuity issues in small studies. (istock)
Seven patients had non-arterial pre-ischemic optic neuropathy (Naion), which causes vision loss in one eye.
One patient developed bilateral papillitis. This was accompanied by swelling with tumor nerves that could cause visual impairment, while the other had acute central macula, in the paracenter, leading to blind spots in the retina.
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All patients had a history of type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high lipids or fat in the blood), hypertension, and/or sleep apnea.
The findings were published in Jama Ophthalmology.
“In one of the cases presented, the patient was taking medication for weight loss and had no prior history of diabetes (also likely to be related to the condition)” British Columbia told Fox News Digital.
Doctors (not photographed) say that these drugs should only be taken under the care of a healthcare professional and that “good and consistent follow-up for dose adjustment by monitoring side effects” is important I emphasized. (istock)
“In another case, when the drug is stopped and reintroduced, the condition reappears and strengthens the causality.”
Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, was not involved in the study, but shared his comments on the findings.
“This was a very small study and it wasn't controlled. That means it didn't include people who weren't using GLP-1 drugs,” he told Fox News Digital.
“The GLP-1 story is still written, and we learn new things about these drugs every day.”
“This will prevent you from knowing whether reported eye problems are caused by these drugs.”
Nevertheless, the doctor said, “The story of GLP-1 is still written. And we learn something new about these drugs every day. The results of this study will be pursued further. It should be.”
Seven patients in this study developed non-arterial pre-ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which causes vision loss in one eye. (istock)
Etominan, the lead research author, also acknowledged the limitations of the study.
“The data was derived from a series of individual cases and was not an epidemiological study,” he noted. “However, another recent epidemiological study also confirmed an increased risk.”
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Al-Aly is a large-scale group that includes a control group of people taking drugs and those who are not taking drugs to assess the long-term health effects of these drugs, including eye problems. We sought a control study.
“In the meantime, caution is recommended for those who may be at risk of vision problems or who already have vision problems,” he added. “People need to talk with their doctors and determine if GLP-1 is the right medicine for them.”
“It was a very small study and it was uncontrolled. That means it didn't include people who were not using GLP-1 drugs,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. (istock)
Etominan reflected his cautionary guidance.
“People taking these medications for diabetes should continue to take them probably for cardiovascular benefits, but they should be aware of the signs of naion,” he advised.
“Healthy people who take them to lose a few pounds for an event may want to weigh the risks more carefully against the benefits of taking these medications.”
“Most visual side effects appear to be resolved once the medication stops.”
Dr. Sesquipnis, medical director of obesity and robotic surgery at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said that this class of drugs had “rare and unusual side effects,” but changes in vision are more relevant. I think it looks like it's. For rapid blood glucose changes caused by the drug rather than the drug itself.
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“We encourage patients taking these types of medication to report abnormal symptoms to their prescribing physicians,” said Kipnis, who was not involved in the study, reported Fox News Digital. He spoke to.
“Most visual side effects appear to be resolved once the medication stops.”
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Kipnis emphasized that these drugs should only be taken under the care of a healthcare professional, and that “good and consistent follow-up for dose adjustments with monitoring of side effects” is important .
When contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk (manufactured by Ozempic and Wegovy) provided the following statement:
“People taking these medications for diabetes should continue to take them probably for cardiovascular benefits, but beware of the signs of naion,” the doctor advised. (istock)
“Nion is a very rare ocular disease and, according to the approved label, is not a harmful drug reaction to the sold formulations of semaglutide (ozempic®, rybelsus® andwegovy®). Inside Denmark and Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk, a safety rating, believes that the profit risk profile of semaglutide remains unchanged.”
The company also noted that eye conditions are “a well-known comorbidity” for diabetics.
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“The decision to start treatment with a prescription-only drug in consultation with a healthcare professional that should perform a benefit risk assessment of the patient in question should weigh the benefits of the treatment at potential risk,” says Novo Nordisk added.
