New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered a new safety warning for widely used diabetes and weight-loss medicines, including Ozempic and Wegovy, after identifying a rare eye condition that can cause severe and potentially permanent vision loss.
The warning will be added to the labels of all glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs, a class of medicines used to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health conditions. The category includes Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.
The warning concerns non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. It can lead to sudden vision impairment and, in some cases, permanent loss of sight.
The FDA began examining the potential risk after a 2024 medical study suggested a possible link between semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and the eye disorder.
A review of more than 125 clinical trials found that NAION occurred in approximately six out of every 100,000 patients who used a GLP-1 medicine for at least a year. The corresponding rate among patients receiving a placebo or other glucose-lowering treatments was fewer than four cases per 100,000 people.
The regulator also identified reports of the condition through its adverse event reporting system, which monitors suspected drug-related side effects and injuries.
The FDA described NAION as rare but advised patients and healthcare providers to remain alert to possible symptoms, including blurred vision, blind spots, colour distortions and other visual disturbances.
Patients experiencing sudden changes in vision should seek medical attention immediately, the regulator said.
The new warning comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of GLP-1 medicines, which have seen surging global demand because of their effectiveness in managing diabetes and promoting weight loss.
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