FDA warns of vision loss risk linked to popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Zepbound

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring new safety warnings on all GLP-1 drugs after finding evidence of a potential increased risk of a rare eye condition, the agency said on Monday.

The condition, which can cause sudden vision loss, known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), is rare, and a causal relationship has not been established. 

The FDA is requiring the makers of all GLP-1 medications to add a warning about the potential increased risk of NAION associated with use of these medications, it said.

NAION is a condition that can result in sudden decreased vision, including permanent vision loss. It is caused by decreased blood flow to the front part of the ​optic nerve — the underlying cause is not completely understood, however.  

NAION cases have been reported for all currently marketed GLP-1 products, the FDA said. 

CNBC has reached out to Ozempic and Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the company behind Mounjaro, Zepbound and Foundayo, for comment.

The FDA decision follows a review of clinical trials, real-world patient data, and published studies.

An analysis of 126 trials involving more than 134,000 patients found 6.4 cases of NAION per 100,000 patient-years among GLP-1 users, compared with 3.8 among patients receiving other treatments or placebos.

Several observational studies also identified an increased risk, supporting the FDA’s concerns.