Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy will have a warning in the US for vision loss

The FDA announced that medications like Ozempic and Wegovy will carry a warning about a rare side effect that can lead to vision loss. This warning will be included in the labeling of all GLP-1 class drugs, which are widely used for obesity and diabetes treatment. The condition, known as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, can cause significant vision loss due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. The FDA's investigation was prompted by a 2024 study linking this issue to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. Approximately six out of 100,000 patients using GLP-1 medications for at least a year experienced this problem, compared to fewer than four per 100,000 in those taking a placebo. Symptoms include blurred vision and color distortion. In Portugal, there have been daily reports of adverse reactions to these drugs.