Semaglutide and rare eye condition – EMA investigates the possible link

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has initiated a review of semaglutide-containing medicines after concerns were raised regarding a potential increased risk of
non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare eye condition.

Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), is used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity, with medicines like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy containing the active substance.

A report from the PRAC highlighted two recent observational studies that suggest patients treated with semaglutide may face a higher risk of developing NAION.

This condition, caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, can result in vision loss in the affected eye.

However, two other recent observational studies did not show an increased risk, according to the report.