Popular weight-loss medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy, will carry a new warning about a rare potential side effect that can lead to permanent vision loss, U.S. health regulators announced Monday. The warning follows an evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of reports linking the widely used medications to a serious eye condition.
The FDA said the risk will be added to the labeling of all GLP-1 drugs, a class of medications commonly prescribed to treat obesity, diabetes and several other medical conditions. The group includes approximately a dozen injectable and pill-based treatments, among them widely used brands such as Zepbound and Mounjaro.
Rare Eye Condition Linked to Reduced Blood Flow
The condition identified by regulators is known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. It can cause significant vision loss and occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve decreases. Although the condition has been reported in connection with all GLP-1 drugs, the underlying reason for the reduced blood flow is not yet understood, according to the FDA.
FDA scientists began examining the potential connection after a medical paper published in 2024 reported an association between the condition and certain patients taking semaglutide. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and other medications in the GLP-1 category.
FDA Analysis Finds a Low but Measurable Risk
An FDA analysis covering more than 125 clinical trials found that the eye condition occurred in approximately six out of every 100,000 patients who had taken a GLP-1 medication for at least one year. By comparison, the reported rate was fewer than four cases per 100,000 people among those taking a placebo or other types of glucose-lowering medications.
The agency also identified reports of the condition through its electronic reporting system, which collects information about suspected drug-related injuries and side effects. The findings prompted regulators to require the additional warning across the GLP-1 drug class.
Symptoms Patients Should Watch For
According to the FDA, symptoms can include blurred vision, blind spots, distorted colors and other changes in eyesight. Patients who experience these visual disturbances while taking GLP-1 medications should contact a health care professional immediately, the agency advised.
The new labeling warning is intended to make patients and health care professionals aware of the rare potential risk while using these widely prescribed treatments. Although the condition appears uncommon, its potential to cause serious and lasting vision problems makes prompt attention to symptoms important.