Archive · 6 Jun 2025
EMA Flags Rare Eye Risk for Ozempic and Weight-Loss Drugs
Imagine a medicine that helps with weight loss and diabetes called semaglutide.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is like a health watchdog, found that this medicine might cause a very rare eye problem.
It's called NAION, where you suddenly lose sight in one eye because the nerve in your eye doesn't get enough blood.
The EMA looked at lots of information and thinks the medicine could double the risk of this problem.
It's like 1 or 2 people out of 10,000 could have this problem.
The EMA told the company to warn people about this risk.
So, if you are taking this medicine, talk to your doctor to be sure it's right for you.
The EMA reviewed semaglutide drugs, including Wegovy and Ozempic.
The review linked the drugs to a rare eye condition called NAION.
NAION can cause sudden, painless vision loss.
The risk of NAION may double with semaglutide use.
The EMA recommended updating drug information to include NAION as a potential side effect.
- Who
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewed data on semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
- What
- The EMA found a potential link between semaglutide and a rare eye condition called NAION.
- When
- The EMA review started in December; the finding was announced on Friday.
- Where
- The EMA, a European regulator, made the finding.
- Why
- The EMA found a possible link between semaglutide and NAION.
- Drug
- Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus)
- Issue
- Potential for NAION (Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy)
- Risk
- Twofold increase compared to those not taking the medicine
- Regulator
- European Medicines Agency (EMA)
- Action
- Update prescribing information