GLP-1 Vision Loss Risks Extend Beyond Type 2 Diabetics and Ozempic Users, Study Warns

Data indicates that among several approved GLP-1 drugs, Victoza is linked to the highest risk of NAION vision problems.

New research raises fresh concerns that vision loss linked to Ozempic and Wegovy may not be limited to those drugs alone, but could affect the entire class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Mounjaro, Trulicity and Victoza.

The latest warning comes from researchers at the University of Alabama, who published a research letter in JAMA Ophthalmology on July 24. Their findings indicate the risk of NAION may not be exclusive to semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, but could be a class-wide issue.

Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs have surged in popularity due to their weight loss benefits. While growing concerns over Ozempic gastroparesis side effects have been at the forefront, emerging evidence now highlights a risk of sudden vision loss caused by a condition known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Novo Nordisk is already facing a growing number of Ozempic lawsuits that allege the drug maker failed to adequately warn users and healthcare providers about the potential risk of stomach paralysis side effects and NAION. As evidence mounts that this vision loss may be a class-wide side effect, similar failure-to-warn claims could soon be brought against the manufacturers of other GLP-1 medications.

New concerns about potential vision loss side effects from Ozempic and Wegovy began to emerge last July, following the publication of a study by Harvard researchers that found users may face a seven-fold increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can result in sudden vision changes, blurred sight, blindness or other symptoms.

Earlier this month, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) announced that its investigators have found a link between Ozempic and Wegovy and NAION as well, recommending that new warnings be added to the drugs’ labels.

NAION Linked to All GLP-1 Drugs

For the latest study, Dr. Russell Griffin and Pallavi Nagdeve conducted a case-control study involving more than 65,000 patients with NAION, looking at factors including obesity and type 2 diabetes and matched them with more than 640,000 control participants by age, medical history and other factors.

The researchers looked for the use of Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Byetta and Victoza, and found that those who took any GLP-1 medication faced a 19% increased risk of NAION. According to the data, the strongest association was linked to the use of Victoza in the first year, which carried a 53% increased risk of NAION when compared to someone who did not take a GLP-1 medication.

Additionally, the researchers found that the link between GLP-1 medications and NAION was stronger in patients who took the drugs despite not having either diabetes or obesity.

They concluded more studies are required to determine why this group would be using GLP-1 medications at all, and whether they are using them due to obesity or type 2 diabetes misdiagnosis, or a result of low exposure prevalence in the study.

GLP-1 Gastrointestinal Injury Lawsuits

The findings come as drug manufactures Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly already face thousands of Ozempic lawsuits, Wegovy lawsuits and Mounjaro lawsuits filed by plaintiffs presenting similar allegations that users were left with painful and debilitating stomach problems, including a form of stomach paralysis known as gastroparesis.

Given common questions of fact and law, all GLP-1 gastroparesis lawsuits filed on behalf of users of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Victoza and Trulicity, have been consolidated in a federal Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) before U.S. District Judge Karen S. Marston in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Judge Marston is presiding over coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings to prepare a small group of cases for early trial dates. 

Before those trials can begin, however, Judge Marston has ordered the parties to address a number of “cross-cutting” issues, such as whether claims are preempted by federal law, whether plaintiffs are required to present specific diagnostic testing evidence to substantiate their injuries, and whether there is sufficient general causation evidence linking Ozempic and the gastrointestinal injuries.

While the outcomes of these early test cases will not be binding on other claims, they will be closely watched and may help the parties negotiate GLP-1 settlements to resolve large numbers of lawsuits in the future.

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