Ozempic and Wegovy Linked to Vision Loss

Semaglutide in the form of drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Rybelsus and Zepbound may increase the risks of vision loss. These drugs are taken to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity and have the potential to help other medical problems like depression, addiction, and Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, it also appears that one of the drugs’ potential side effects is a rare kind of vision loss, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Around 12% of people around the country has taken semaglutide drugs and around 6% of Americans are currently taking them. No direct causal link has been established, but as popularity of these drugs grow, it’s important to be aware of this possible risk. If you suffered NAION while on Ozempic, Wegovy or another GLP-1 drug, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based dangerous pharmaceuticals lawyers of Moll Law Group.

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Only a small group of patients taking semaglutide have experienced vision issues. A JAMA study, one of several studies, looked at 9 patients that had vision trouble while taking semaglutide.

NAION is a non-inflammatory disease in which the blood supply to the optic nerve is harmed and the patient suffers a sudden partial vision loss that’s permanent. The study was initiated because a patient experienced a painless vision loss while on the drug but had the issue resolve favorably when semaglutide was stopped; when he went back on, he had the same problem with the other eye. The researcher looked into whether other neuro-ophthalmologists had seen this in their patients and found nine cases that are featured in his study. Seven out of nine of the patients, all of them in their 50s and 60s, had typical presentations of NAION, which usually affects only one eye at once, but some had unusual symptoms. Researchers are trying to figure out whether being on semaglutide actually causes NAION and other vision loss.

Researchers are taking into account that the patients studied were on the semaglutide drugs due to diabetes, obesity and other cardiovascular comorbidities, any of which can cause diabetic retinopathy and other vision problems. One researcher said that these drugs can cause blood glucose levels to fall quickly, and that this may be contributing to the risk, since changes in blood sugar can temporarily impact vision.

When you take a drug prescribed by your doctor, you are likely to assume it’s safe and that you’ll be warned of any serious side effects. Unfortunately, sometimes there are dangerous side effects of drugs that are not known or haven’t been sufficiently studied. This may be a marketing defect. It can be appropriate to pursue damages for products that are defective in terms of their marketing, manufacturing, or design.

If you developed NAION or other vision loss as a result of semaglutide drugs, you may be able to pursue compensation by bringing a product liability lawsuit. Our firm represents plaintiffs that have suffered harm across the country. If you were harmed by a semaglutide drug like Ozempic or Wegovy, please call our experienced Chicago-based dangerous pharmaceuticals attorneys about your legal options. Complete our online form or by calling us at 312.462.1700.