‘Eye strokes’ that reduce blood flow to optic nerve likely to be side-effect of active ingredient semaglutide, says author
Patients taking Wegovy have nearly five times the risk of sudden sight loss of those on Ozempic, a large-scale study has found.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medicines such as semaglutide (sold as Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus) and tirzepetide (sold as Mounjaro) help reduce blood sugar levels, slow digestion and reduce appetite, and have been linked to reduced risks of heart attack, fewer drug overdoses and other health benefits.
But a study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, found that patients taking Wegovy for weight loss had a fivefold greater chance of developing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (Naion) than the diabetes drug Ozempic, while men had a three times greater risk than women.
These “eye strokes” cause sudden and usually permanent vision loss (pdf) due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve.
