Ozempic: This treatment against type 2 diabetes often used for weight loss is responsible for an irreversible eye disease ?

A Danish study published on December 16, 2024 suggests that Ozempic – a type 2 diabetes treatment often misused for weight loss – could lead to an irreversible eye disease. 

The Danish Medicines Agency announced on Monday that it is referring the European Union's Pharmacovigilance Committee to review the results of two Danish studies linking Novo Nordisk's drug Ozempic to a rare eye condition.

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Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

The two studies conducted by the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) show that Ozempic more than doubles the risk of NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) in type 2 diabetics.

The Agency Danish Medicines Agency has asked the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) to consider these data.

Irreversible disease

Novo Nordisk responded by stating that“After a thorough evaluation of the studies, Novo Nordisk considers that the benefit-risk profile of semaglutide remains unchanged”, adding that patient safety remains a priority.

According to Jakob Grauslund, a professor at SDU, the number of NAION cases in Denmark has increased since Ozempic was introduced in 2018.

Danish studies have focused on the effect of semaglutide, present in Ozempic, a drug of the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. NAION is an irreversible disease caused by insufficient blood supply to the optic nerve, leading to sudden vision loss.