Ozempic and Similar Medications Causing an Increased Risk of Blindness – Recent Study Reveals

Publish Date : 12/17/2024

Glucagon peptide-1, or GLP-1, receptor agonists are a class of medications utilized to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. The function of GLP-1 agonists is to lower serum glucose levels and thereby manage metabolism in affected patients. These drugs activate GLP-1 receptors leading to enhanced insulin release and reduced glucagon release, and thus, “treating” diabetes. It also leaves people with a feeling of satiety / fullness.

Ozempic is the most commonly known GLP-1 medication, but there are others listed below:

• Rybelsus
• Wegovy
• Saxenda
• Trulicity
• Mounjaro
• Byetta
• Bydureon
• Bcise
• Adlyxin

A recent cohort study conducted in Denmark and Norway investigated the potential link between semaglutid and the risk of developing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION refers to loss of blood flow to the optic nerve (which is the cable that connects the eye to the brain). This condition typically causes sudden vision loss in one eye, without any pain. In many cases, the patient notices significant loss of vision in one eye immediately upon waking up in the morning. The visual loss typically remains fairly stable, without getting markedly better or worse once it has occurred, a condition that can lead to vision loss.

Study Design and Participants: Researchers utilized national health registries to identify new users of semaglutide and compared them to new users of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) from 2018 to 2024. The study included 44,517 semaglutide users in Denmark and 16,860 in Norway.

Findings: During the study period, 32 cases of NAION were identified among semaglutide users (24 in Denmark and 8 in Norway). The unadjusted incidence rates of NAION per 10,000 person-years were:

• Denmark: 2.19 among semaglutide users vs. 1.18 among SGLT-2i users.
• Norway: 2.90 among semaglutide users vs. 0.92 among SGLT-2i users.

After adjusting for potential confounders, the pooled hazard ratio indicated that semaglutide users had a 2.81 times higher risk of developing NAION compared to SGLT-2i users.

The study suggests a significant association between semaglutide use and an increased risk of NAION.

Want to find out if you or a loved one has a GLP-1 claim?

Please feel free to contact a GLP-1 Lawsuit attorney at info@westrikeback.com or 1-877-542-4646. One of our experienced GLP-1 Lawsuit lawyers will help evaluate your claim and explain your legal rights for free. McSweeney / Langevin is providing consultations to individuals throughout the United States. Information provided by email or phone will be kept confidential.