Study Links Semaglutide to Rare Eye Disease Risk

A recent study from Harvard Medical School suggests that semaglutide, an active ingredient in popular weight loss medications like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, may be associated with an increased risk of a rare eye disease known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can lead to vision loss in one eye, particularly among patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity who are prescribed these drugs. Following the report, shares of Novo Nordisk experienced minor fluctuations, reflecting investor caution. The study indicates that patients using semaglutide were more likely to be diagnosed with NAION compared to those not on the medication. However, Deutsche Bank analyst Emmanuel Papadakis cautioned that the evidence presented in the study is of "very low quality," with wide error margins. Novo Nordisk responded by stating that NAION is not recognized as an adverse drug reaction for semaglutide in its approved labels, highlighting methodological limitations in the study, including a small sample size. Despite the potential risks, semaglutide has contributed to Novo Nordisk's rise as the most valuable company in Europe, surpassing Denmark's total GDP last year. The drugs have demonstrated additional health benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar regulation. However, they have faced scrutiny due to reports of serious side effects, including stomach paralysis and suicidal ideation, as well as an increased risk of bowel obstruction and pancreatitis. The U.S. study, which analyzed data from over 16,000 patients between December 2017 and November 2022, emphasizes the need for further research to determine the causal relationship between semaglutide and the eye condition.