Blockbuster Diet Drugs Linked to Blindness

Diet drugs have skyrocketed in popularity and are no stranger to scary side effects.

In 2017, Novo Nordisk introduced Ozempic as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Noticing its appetite-suppressing effects and subsequent weight loss, the company later launched Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic. Novo Nordisk produces GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, all of which contain the active ingredient semaglutide.

If you are taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes or obesity, it’s important to be aware of a potential risk for a condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

 

What is NAION?

NAION can cause sudden blindness in one eye due to a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve.

This rare condition affects only 2-10 out of every 100,000 people and is the second leading cause of blindness from optic nerve damage, following glaucoma. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for NAION.

 

Study & Statistics

A recent Harvard study conducted at Massachusetts General Brigham examined the potential correlation between semaglutide and NAION over a one-year period using patient data.

The study specifically investigated two cohorts: individuals with obesity and those with type 2 diabetes, both of which are FDA-approved indications for semaglutide. The study included 17,000 patients, providing valuable insights into this significant area of research.

A simple question was posed- were patients more or less likely to develop NAION if they were prescribed semaglutide or a non-GLP-1 medication?

The answer was clear. Individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were found to be more than four times as likely to receive a diagnosis of NAION. Similarly, those with obesity were more than eight times as likely to receive the same diagnosis.

 

A Look at the Litigation

Beasley Allen is also investigating cases of gastroparesis, intestinal obstruction, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism related to the use of diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.