Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes and weight-loss medications Wegovy and Ozempic may increase the risk of a rare eye condition that can lead to vision loss, according to the European Medicines Agency. The agency confirmed the risk affects 1 in 10,000 users.
Type 2 diabetes patients have previously been linked to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) while taking Ozempic. However, this is the first time a regulator has officially acknowledged the side effect.
The eye condition can affect up to 1 in 10,000 people who take semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, or other diabetes medication Rybelsus. It’s also the second-most common cause of blindness due to optic nerve damage.
An analyst noted that the clinical community is aware of this risk, but the confirmation from the regulator may not significantly impact prescribing patterns. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk shares rose 2.5% in early trading.
The European Medicines Agency has asked Novo to update labels and add the eye condition as a rare side effect. However, Novo maintains that its product information is accurate and that clinical trials have found no link between semaglutide and the eye condition.
Source: https://www.ksl.com/article/51326080/novos-ozempic-linked-to-rare-cases-of-serious-eye-disorder-eu-regulator-says