Novo Nordisk's Ozempic Linked to Rare Vision Loss in Denmark and Norway Study

Dec 13, 2024, 05:18 PM

A study has linked the use of Ozempic, a diabetes medication produced by Novo Nordisk A/S, to an increased risk of developing a rare form of vision loss known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The research, which analyzed patient records from Denmark and Norway, found that diabetes patients using Ozempic were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with NAION compared to those taking other diabetes medications. The condition, which can lead to irreversible vision loss, is associated with a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve and is more common in individuals over 50. Despite the low overall incidence rate, with only 1.4 additional cases per 10,000 years of patient observation, the study highlights the need for patient awareness of this potential risk. Novo Nordisk has stated that the risk-benefit profile of Ozempic remains unchanged, citing very few cases of NAION in its own trials. The study's findings were published on medRxiv, a pre-print server, and have not yet undergone peer review.