US FDA orders GLP-1 drug makers to add eye condition warnings
Manufacturers of weight-loss and diabetes medications must include warnings about a rare eye disorder that can cause sudden blindness.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has instructed manufacturers of popular GLP-1 drugs to include warning labels regarding a rare eye condition known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). According to a report by BBC News, the order applies to medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Rybelsus.
NAION occurs when blood vessels supplying the optic nerve are blocked, depriving the nerve of oxygen. The condition can lead to sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, which may be permanent. The FDA stated that its review of studies and reports indicated a higher likelihood of these rare events occurring in individuals using GLP-1 medications.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology said that while the added risk appears small, it has not been proven that these drugs cause NAION. The group advised patients not to stop their medication without consulting a doctor but to see an ophthalmologist immediately if they experience sudden, painless vision loss.
Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Wegovy, said the company believes the data does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. The manufacturer added that patient safety is a top priority and that they continue to monitor the safety of their medicines.
The FDA noted that it is currently unknown why GLP-1 users might face a higher risk. Some research was difficult to evaluate because patients using these drugs for obesity or diabetes may already possess separate risk factors for the eye condition.
