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

In the U.S., medications like Ozempic and Wegovy will now carry a warning about a rare side effect that may lead to vision loss. The FDA announced that this risk 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 began investigating this issue after a 2024 study linked it to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. Approximately six out of 100,000 patients using GLP-1 drugs 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 visual disturbances. In Portugal, there have been daily reports of adverse reactions to these medications.