A new JAMA study is investigating ophthalmic complications in patients using semaglutide and tirzepatide, the active ingredients in drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, as concerns about potential vision risks emerge.
The study documented vision problems in nine patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists. Seven developed nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), one experienced papillitis, and another had paracentral acute middle maculopathy.
The findings come as nearly 2% of the US population received semaglutide prescriptions in 2023. Ozempic, developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimicking a hormone that regulates blood sugar and digestion.
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Novo Nordisk maintains that NAION is not an adverse drug reaction to their semaglutide formulations. The company cited a thorough evaluation of studies from the University of Southern Denmark and internal safety data, including blinded ophthalmologist evaluations across controlled clinical trials with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
The JAMA researchers explicitly stated they could not determine if there is a causal link between these drugs and the reported eye complications. Their study suggests that rapid correction of hyperglycemia, rather than drug toxicity, might be associated with the observed issues.
The study’s release has prompted discussion on social media, with journalist Mario Nawfal reporting on X that one patient experienced vision loss in both eyes within weeks of starting treatment.
“Patient safety is a top priority,” a Novo Nordisk spokesperson told Newsweek, noting all adverse event reports are taken seriously. The company emphasized that patients should consult healthcare professionals about individual benefit-risk evaluations before starting any prescription medication.
The research is part of an ongoing series of studies examining the drug’s potential side effects, which commonly include digestive issues such as nausea, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
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