FDA Orders Vision Loss Warning for Ozempic, Doctors Say Risk Low
The U.S. FDA required warning labels on GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, about a potential risk of vision loss due to NAION, but Russian ophthalmologists say the risk is very low and not a reason to stop treatment.
Consensus
- The U.S. FDA required adding warnings about NAION risk to GLP-1 drugs on November 9.
- NAION is a rare condition causing sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, sometimes irreversible.
- The risk of NAION from GLP-1 drugs is considered very low, with no more than one additional case per 10,000 patients annually.
- Patients with diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea are at higher risk for NAION.
- Doctors advise not stopping treatment based on the warning, but to monitor vision closely.
- The link between GLP-1 drugs and NAION is not yet proven to be causal.
- Patients should seek immediate medical attention if sudden vision changes occur.
Points of divergence
- Eugenia Shikh from Sechenov University stated that GLP-1 drugs may increase fertility in overweight women, potentially leading to unintended pregnancies. — vm
- Dmitriy Sagonenko from the Keratoconus Center said vision problems may result from coexisting conditions, not the drugs themselves. — vesti
- Igor Aznuryan from 'Yasnyy Vzor' clinics stated the link between the drugs and NAION is not proven due to high prevalence of diabetes among patients. — vesti
- 4,000 lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. against Ozempic developers over patient complaints. — vesti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Ophthalmologist Kostyukov assessed US authorities' statement on the link between Ozempic and blindness — Вечерняя Москва
- Doctors assessed FDA requirement to warn about risk of vision loss from Ozempic — Вести