NEW YORK: A new study published in the medical journal JAMA Ophthalmology found that people using Ozempic or Wegovy may face an increased risk of developing a rare type of blindness known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). However, researchers emphasize that further investigation is necessary to conclusively establish a causal relationship.
The study, conducted over six years and involving more than 16,800 participants in the Boston area, focused on people who initially did not have NAION. Researchers specifically analyzed a subgroup of approximately 1,700 patients who were either overweight, obese, or had diabetes. They compared the incidence of NAION between those prescribed semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and those who were not prescribed these medications.
Semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is commonly prescribed for managing Type 2 diabetes and weight management.
Among the subgroup of patients with Type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide, the study found that 17 persons developed NAION over a 36-month period. This incidence rate was more than four times higher compared to those not taking semaglutide.
Similarly, among patients with obesity using semaglutide, 20 cases of NAION were reported, representing an eightfold increase compared to their counterparts who did not use semaglutide.
The researchers warned that while their findings suggest an association between semaglutide and NAION, the study’s observational nature limits its ability to establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.
Further research is needed to validate these observations and determine the underlying mechanisms, if any, by which semaglutide might contribute to the development of NAION.
In response to the study, Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, highlighted that the study is observational and cannot confirm a causal link between NAION and semaglutide. A spokesperson emphasized that patient safety is a paramount concern for the company, and they take all reports of adverse events seriously.
According to Novo Nordisk, NAION is not listed as an adverse drug reaction in the approved labels for semaglutide formulations.
