FDA alerts that GLP-1 medications may increase risk of rare eye disorder
The FDA warned that drugs in the GLP-1 class could be linked to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a rare condition that can cause sudden vision loss.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety notice on Monday stating that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may be associated with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition sometimes described as an “eye stroke.” NAION results from reduced blood flow to the optic nerve and can lead to abrupt vision loss and, in severe cases, blindness; no proven treatments currently exist.
The agency required manufacturers to update prescribing information and to inform patients and health-care providers about the potential risk. The warning applies to GLP-1 drugs that have been widely used for weight management and type 2 diabetes, including Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Regulators noted that while clinical trials did not reveal this adverse event, broader real-world use can uncover rare side effects that were not previously observed.