Health · Pharma & Biotech · 1 day ago
Lawsuits allege serious harm from GLP-1 drugs, but risks remain unclear
GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic are used to treat diabetes and other conditions, and their use is growing.
Todd Engel, who lives in Maryland, says he lost sight in both eyes after starting Ozempic for diabetes in 2023.
He has sued the drug’s maker, Novo Nordisk, alleging it failed to warn patients and doctors about a possible risk of a rare eye condition.
His case is part of two ongoing consolidated lawsuits alleging serious harm from GLP-1 drugs.
A study found a possible link between Ozempic and the condition, but observational research cannot show that the drug caused it, and later research has cast doubt on the link.
The FDA has received more than 1,000 reports of optic neuropathy linked to GLP-1 drugs since 2024, but those reports are voluntary and not verified.
Eye-care groups say more research is needed and do not currently recommend that patients stop taking the drugs; the lawsuits remain ongoing.
Todd Engel began taking Ozempic for diabetes in early 2023 and later lost vision in both eyes after developing a condition diagnosed as NAION.
Engel and his wife say they were not told of a possible connection between Ozempic and NAION; he has sued the drug’s maker, Novo Nordisk, alleging it failed to warn patients and doctors.
The lawsuit is part of two consolidated cases alleging serious harm from GLP-1 drugs.
NPR found more than 1,000 FDA adverse-event reports of optic neuropathy linked to GLP-1 drugs since 2024, among nearly 190,000 reports about the drugs.
The reports are mostly voluntary and unverified, and observational research can show a correlation but cannot establish that the drugs caused the condition.
Novo Nordisk says the cases lack merit and points to research that casts doubt on a causal link; the FDA says it is studying NAION risks and will consider whether regulatory action is needed.
- Who
- Todd Engel, Novo Nordisk, and parties in lawsuits alleging harm from GLP-1 drugs
- What
- Lawsuits allege GLP-1 drugs caused serious harm and that manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings; causation remains uncertain.
- When
- Engel began taking Ozempic in early 2023; NPR's article was published October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Suburban Maryland; the lawsuits are consolidated cases, with no court location stated.
- Why
- The lawsuits allege that GLP-1 drugs caused serious or life-altering harm and that patients and doctors were not adequately warned.
Todd Engel and plaintiffs alleging harm
Novo Nordisk
Whether Ozempic caused NAION
Todd Engel and plaintiffs alleging harm
Engel's lawsuit alleges that Ozempic was linked to his NAION and that the manufacturer failed to warn patients and doctors.
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk points to subsequent research casting doubt on whether its GLP-1 drug causes NAION and says the cases are without merit.
Whether the evidence establishes a link
Todd Engel and plaintiffs alleging harm
A study reported higher rates of NAION among diabetic patients taking Ozempic or semaglutide, and medical groups acknowledged a potential link.
Novo Nordisk
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society said the study could not show that treatment caused NAION; further research is needed.
I couldn't see anything. It was all dark. It was black.
This is not the type of study that can show the treatment caused NAION.
determine the need for regulatory action
Engel's doctor put him on Ozempic for diabetes.
Engel woke with vision loss in his right eye and was diagnosed with NAION.
A study in JAMA Ophthalmology reported higher rates of NAION among diabetic patients taking Ozempic or semaglutide.
The FDA adverse-event database received more than 1,000 reports of optic neuropathy linked to GLP-1 drugs.
NPR reported on the ongoing lawsuits and uncertainty about how often GLP-1 drugs cause serious harm.
- FDA optic-neuropathy reports
- More than 1,000 reports linked to GLP-1 drugs since 2024
- Total FDA reports
- Nearly 190,000 reports about the drugs over that period
- Lawsuits
- Two main ongoing consolidated lawsuits alleging harm from GLP-1 drugs
- Engel's treatment
- He began taking Ozempic for diabetes in early 2023
- NPR publication date
- October 10, 2026
Sources
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