A fresh alert has been issued for people taking medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy with health chiefs warning anyone experiencing a rare yet severe symptom to seek immediate medical attention. Fears have been raised over an uncommon but serious vision problem causing sudden loss of sight in one eye, found in some people taking semaglutide.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is now urging those on the medication to be vigilant for sudden vision problems. In its warning released on Thursday, it said that the medication may pose an “extremely small” risk of the user developing Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), a condition that requires urgent care at either an eye casualty department or A&E.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus, prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. It is also sold as Wegovy, used for weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in overweight or obese patients.
The alert advised: “NAION is an extremely rare ischemic event which occurs due to reduced blood flow to the front portion of the optic nerve which typically causes sudden, painless vision loss in one eye. Patients who have experienced NAION describe it as a blurring or cloudiness of vision.
“Patients taking semaglutide who notice a change in their eyesight, such as sudden impairment to their vision, or if their eyesight gets worse very quickly in one or both eyes, should urgently attend eye casualty (if available in the area) or A&E.”
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA’s Chief Safety Officer, stated: “Patient safety is the MHRA’s top priority and we continually monitor the safety and efficacy of all licensed medicines. While the potential risk of NAION for patients prescribed semaglutide is extremely small, it is important that patients and healthcare professionals are alert to the associated symptoms.
“If you, or someone you care for, is taking semaglutide and you notice sudden loss of vision in one eye, then we advise you to urgently attend eye casualty (if available in your area) or A&E and report it via our https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ scheme.”
This advice follows closely on the heels of another warning issued to those using GLP-1 drugs, alerting them to an unusual but potentially serious side effect. Approximately 1.6 million people in the UK have turned to these injections over the past year to aid weight loss.
Just last week, the MHRA advised anyone taking GLP-1 medication, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, to be vigilant for severe stomach and back pain that persists, as this could indicate acute pancreatitis. This condition involves inflammation and swelling of the pancreas, a small organ located behind the stomach.
The guidance stated that the majority of people with the condition typically begin to feel better within around a week and experience no further issues, however some may develop more serious complications. At the time, Ms Cave commented: “For the vast majority of patients who are prescribed GLP-1s, they are safe and effective medicines which deliver significant health benefits.
“The risk of developing these severe side effects is very small, but it is important that patients and healthcare professionals are aware and alert to the associated symptoms.”
Information regarding potential side effects of semaglutide and guidance on its safe and effective use can be found here.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
