A growing number of lawsuits in the United States are targeting the makers of popular weight-loss and diabetes semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, and Zepbound.
At the centre of the legal fight is a serious concern: a possible link between these medications and a rare eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION for short. This condition can cause sudden vision loss that is often permanent. It usually starts in one eye, but research shows the other eye can also be affected in the years that follow.
NAION itself isn’t new. It’s actually the leading cause of sudden vision loss in people over 50. Doctors believe some people are born with a “crowded” optic nerve that makes them more vulnerable, while other risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and smoking. Additionally, certain medications, including erectile dysfunction drugs, have been linked to the condition.
What is new is the concern that semaglutide drugs, used by millions around the world, may be linked to the development of NAION. That possibility has put these medications under both legal and scientific scrutiny, raising tough questions about how safe they really are.
Americans Are Suing – Why?
In the U.S., more than 2,000 lawsuits have already been filed against drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Patients say they were never properly warned that these medications could be tied to vision problems, and some have shared devastating stories of losing their sight.
One of those patients is James Norris, a 56-year-old mechanic from New Jersey, who says he lost vision in both eyes after taking Mounjaro. Others, including a grandmother of 11, have also stepped forward to say they were left permanently impaired after using Ozempic or Wegovy. These stories are now fueling the legal fight, which is being grouped into a large, consolidated case to make it easier for courts to manage.
What the Research Says
Studies suggest there may be a real connection between semaglutide drugs and NAION. One paper published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that people on these medications were more than seven times more likely to develop the condition than those on other treatments. Another large study out of Denmark also found the risk to be more than double compared to other diabetes drugs.
These findings have not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency both issued warnings, recommending that NAION be officially listed as a possible, though very rare, side effect of semaglutide drugs. Their definition of “very rare” means it could affect up to one in 10,000 users.
Other Side Effects Raising Concerns
Vision loss isn’t the only safety issue being raised. Semaglutide drugs have also been linked to digestive problems, including a condition called gastroparesis, where the stomach can’t empty properly.
Some patients have reported gallbladder issues, intestinal blockages, and other serious digestive issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration includes warnings about some of these risks on drug labels, but NAION is not currently listed, leaving patients and doctors with unanswered questions.
Why Canadians Should Pay Attention
So far, most of these lawsuits are only happening in the United States, with a few exceptions. But the concerns behind them matter here in Canada too. Semaglutide medications are widely prescribed across the country for both Type 2 diabetes and weight loss, and their popularity continues to grow.
Canadian regulators often take note of international safety alerts. With both the WHO and the European Medicines Agency raising red flags, Health Canada may also decide to review the risks more closely.
What Canadians Should Know
While semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy can be effective for diabetes and weight management, rare risks are now coming to light, including sudden vision loss.
If you are taking one of these medications and notice changes in your eyesight, seek medical help right away. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks, and make sure you understand the warning signs. Staying alert could make all the difference.
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