Australian regulator warns of ‘rare but severe’ eye disorder linked to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a safety warning regarding several common GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes treatments. The regulator updated its guidance for drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro after identifying a potential link to a rare but severe eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or NAION.

The TGA recorded 36 cases of this eye disorder across these medications. NAION can result in permanent vision loss, and current medical data suggests there is no effective treatment to restore sight once the condition develops. Product information documents for patients in Australia now contain updated warnings about this specific risk.

Despite these updates, the regulator does not advise patients to stop their medication. Patients are urged to contact their doctor immediately if they notice sudden vision loss or partial sight changes. Medical experts emphasize that the condition remains very rare compared to the prevalence of the diseases these drugs treat, such as heart disease and stroke.

The manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, maintains that the benefit-risk profile of their medication is favorable. The company noted that over 49 million patient years of exposure have been studied. Healthcare professionals continue to monitor the situation, but they generally support continued use for patients who do not have pre-existing eye conditions.