- Semaglutide-based drugs (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy) are now linked to a rare but irreversible eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can cause sudden blindness. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed a doubled risk for Type 2 diabetes patients.
- A safety review by the EMA's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) found a clear association between semaglutide and NAION. Drug labels will be updated to reflect this risk.
- Novo Nordisk, the maker of these drugs, will comply with the EMA's recommendations but maintains that benefits outweigh risks, arguing no definitive proof links semaglutide to NAION. Critics accuse slow action on safety concerns.
- Semaglutide drugs are highly profitable but face competition and scrutiny, echoing past cases where blockbuster drugs (e.g., Vioxx, Paxil) later revealed severe risks.
- The EMA advises users with sudden vision changes to seek immediate medical care and consider discontinuing semaglutide if NAION is diagnosed. Global regulators, including the FDA, may reassess safety profiles.
A blockbuster class of weight-loss and diabetes drugs – including Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus – now carries a newly confirmed risk: sudden blindness.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced Friday, June 6, that semaglutide – the active ingredient in these medications – increases the likelihood of a rare but devastating eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The finding, based on a months-long safety review, adds to growing concerns about the long-term effects of drugs that have been hailed as medical breakthroughs.
NAION is a condition caused by insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve, the critical structure that transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. When the nerve is damaged, vision loss can occur suddenly – often without warning. It is the second-leading cause of optic nerve blindness, trailing only glaucoma.
The EMA's review found that adults with Type 2 diabetes taking semaglutide face twice the risk of developing NAION compared to those not on the drug. While classified as a "very rare" side effect affecting up to 1 in 10,000 users, the irreversible nature of the condition makes it alarming. (Related: Ozempic and Wegovy linked to increased risk of BLINDNESS again in new study, raising alarms among doctors.)
The EMA's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) launched its investigation in January 2025, scrutinizing clinical trial data, real-world patient reports and medical studies. Given the discovery, thee agency now recommends updating drug labels to reflect this risk – a move that could influence prescribing habits worldwide.
Novo Nordisk responds to EMA's findings
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant behind these drugs, has stated it will comply with the EMA’s request. However, it maintains that the benefits still outweigh the risks.
The company insists that neither clinical trials nor post-market surveillance definitively prove semaglutide causes NAION. However, critics argue that regulators and manufacturers have been slow to address mounting safety concerns, including earlier investigations into suicidal thoughts and kidney cancer risks tied to these medications.
Semaglutide-based drugs have revolutionized obesity and diabetes treatment, generating billions in revenue for Novo Nordisk. But the company has faced turbulence, including the ousting of its CEO in May amid investor fears of losing dominance in the booming weight-loss drug market. Competitors like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound are gaining ground, while patients and doctors now grapple with balancing rapid weight loss against potentially life-altering side effects.
This is not the first time blockbuster drugs have faced scrutiny after widespread adoption. Painkillers like Vioxx and antidepressants such as Paxil were initially celebrated before later being linked to severe cardiovascular risks and suicidal ideation, respectively.
The EMA advises users experiencing sudden vision changes to seek immediate medical attention and consider discontinuing semaglutide if NAION is diagnosed. While the absolute risk remains low, the irreversible damage makes this a critical consideration – especially for those with preexisting eye conditions.
The EMA’s decision could pressure other regulators, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to revisit semaglutide's safety profile. The FDA has not announced a similar review as of writing, but past precedents suggest international findings often trigger American action. For millions relying on semaglutide for diabetes or weight management, the EMA's warning is a sobering reminder: No drug is without risk.
DangerousMedicine.com has more similar stories.
Watch Jefferey Jaxen and Del Bigtree discussing the dangerous side of Ozempic in this clip.
This video is from The Highwire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.
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