Study associates weight-loss medication with a rare eye condition

A recent study indicates that individuals prescribed semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, for weight loss may face an elevated risk of developing a rare, serious eye condition. Analyzing data from 17,000 patients over six years, researchers in the United States discovered that those using the drug for type 2 diabetes were four times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition compared to non-users. Among those using semaglutide for obesity, the risk was seven times higher. However, the study does not establish causation between semaglutide and the eye condition, which can potentially lead to vision loss in one eye. Furthermore, the researchers cannot clarify why the risk varies between patient groups or the underlying reasons behind this increased risk, emphasizing that the affected population was relatively small.

‘Beach-body ready’

The marketing of semaglutide, produced by Novo Nordisk, as a means to achieve a “beach-body ready” physique has stirred considerable attention. While the drug has shown effectiveness in aiding individuals with obesity to shed over 10% of their body weight when coupled with lifestyle changes, concerns have arisen over its misuse. Despite being strictly prescribed for individuals with type 2 diabetes (marketed as Ozempic) and severe obesity (marketed as Wegovy), online availability through less regulated channels has raised alarms among health officials. This accessibility has fueled fears that semaglutide is being sought as a quick-fix solution without proper consideration of the user’s health or weight status.

Novo Nordisk emphasizes patient safety as a primary concern, although they note limitations in the recent study linking semaglutide to a rare eye condition. Common side effects of the drug include nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort, with changes in vision listed among the more severe potential risks. The condition in question, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), has been observed more frequently among semaglutide users compared to those using other medications, as highlighted by researchers from Harvard Medical School.

While acknowledging the study’s findings as significant yet preliminary, Harvard ophthalmology professor Dr. Joseph Rizzo stresses the need for further research in larger and more diverse populations. In response to these concerns, UK eye experts from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommend that patients prescribed semaglutide should be informed about the potential small risk of developing eye-related issues.

All medicines carry potential side-effects.
Some of the most common for semaglutide include: