EU health regulators warn Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar semaglutide-based drugs may cause sudden blindness due to rare optic nerve damage called NAION.
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| The European Medicines Agency warns Ozempic and similar semaglutide drugs may trigger sudden blindness due to a rare optic nerve condition called NAION. Image: CH |
Brussels, Belgium – June 7, 2025:
Europe’s top drug regulator has issued a serious warning about popular weight-loss and diabetes medications containing semaglutide, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced Friday that these drugs have been linked to a rare but potentially devastating eye condition that can lead to sudden blindness.
Following a comprehensive safety assessment, the EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) recommended that non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) be listed as a “very rare” side effect of semaglutide. NAION, the second leading cause of optic nerve-related blindness after glaucoma, can cause abrupt vision loss with little to no warning.
Data reviewed by the EMA—spanning clinical trials, real-world post-marketing reports, and scientific literature—show that patients with type 2 diabetes who take semaglutide are nearly twice as likely to develop NAION compared to non-users. The “very rare” classification means that up to one in 10,000 patients may be affected.
Patients are urged to watch for symptoms such as sudden or rapidly worsening eyesight. Those experiencing visual issues while taking semaglutide should seek immediate medical evaluation, and discontinue use if NAION is confirmed.
Semaglutide, developed by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that promotes weight loss and regulates blood sugar by stimulating insulin secretion and suppressing appetite. Ozempic and its sister drugs have surged in global popularity for their effectiveness in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.
However, growing safety concerns are beginning to cloud that success. The EMA had already investigated semaglutide for potential links to suicidal ideation. More recently, a separate study suggested a possible association between the drug and kidney cancer, though other research shows it may reduce the risk of multiple other cancers.
Novo Nordisk, once Europe’s most valuable company before being overtaken earlier this year, responded to the EMA’s findings by reaffirming its commitment to patient safety and pledging full cooperation in updating drug labels.
The EMA’s latest recommendations will now go before the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), whose decision will be forwarded to the European Commission for final adoption.
Until then, health authorities advise continued vigilance while using semaglutide drugs and encourage patients to consult their healthcare providers before making any changes to their treatment.