Weight Loss Injection Wegovy Associated with Elevated Risk of Sudden Vision Impairment
New analysis indicates that the weight management medication Wegovy may present a heightened risk of sudden sight loss when compared to other similar treatments, such as Ozempic. The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, suggests a potential dose-dependent safety concern for semaglutide, the active ingredient shared by these drugs.
Study Details and Key Findings
Researchers investigated the connection between semaglutide and ischaemic optic neuropathy (ION), commonly referred to as an eye stroke. This condition results in abrupt vision loss due to diminished blood flow to the optic nerve. The team examined side-effect reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System from December 2017 to December 2024.
Out of over 30 million alerts, 31,774 involved semaglutide. Among these, 3,070 were linked to Wegovy, which was launched in 2021, while 20,608 were associated with Ozempic, approved in 2017. Despite the higher number of reports for Ozempic, Wegovy demonstrated a stronger correlation with ION.
Overall, ION risk appears dose and formulation dependent, and highest with Wegovy, the researchers stated. Ozempic’s earlier approval resulted in more reports than Wegovy, yet Wegovy showed the stronger signal.Gender Disparities and Comparative Risks
The analysis further revealed that men were three times more likely than women to experience an eye stroke. Additionally, the odds of ION were nearly five times higher with Wegovy compared to Ozempic. The study found no reports of ION in association with Rybelsus, another semaglutide-based oral medication for type 2 diabetes, which researchers attributed to its limited absorption and slower uptake.
Wegovy is approved on the NHS for weight management and utilises higher doses of semaglutide. In contrast, Ozempic and Rybelsus employ lower doses primarily for treating type 2 diabetes. All three medications are produced by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Regulatory Responses and Safety Monitoring
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson emphasised that patient safety is their top priority, and they take all reports of adverse events seriously. The company collaborates with global regulatory bodies to continuously monitor the safety profiles of their products. EU patient leaflets for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus have been updated to include non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
However, Novo Nordisk has concluded that available data does not suggest a reasonable possibility of a causal relationship between semaglutide and NAION. The company maintains that the benefit-risk profile of semaglutide remains favourable.
Researchers urged for urgent prospective evaluation to guide prescribing and regulatory policies, highlighting the need for further investigation into these potential safety concerns.
