WHO links Semaglutide to rare but serious vision loss

SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a crucial safety alert regarding the use of semaglutide-containing medicines, such as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, which are commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The alert warns healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities about a very rare but serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) that may be linked to these drugs.

NAION is a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, often accompanied by swelling of the optic disc.

It is a leading cause of vision loss in adults and the second most common optic nerve disorder after glaucoma.

Unfortunately, the vision loss caused by NAION is usually irreversible, and there is currently no effective treatment available.

This warning follows a thorough review by the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which examined all available evidence, including clinical trials, post-marketing data, non-clinical studies, and medical literature.

PRAC concluded that NAION is a very rare side effect of semaglutide, potentially affecting up to 1 in 10,000 users.

Consequently, EMA has recommended updating the product information for semaglutide medicines to include NAION as a possible side effect with a frequency classified as “very rare”.

The WHO’s Advisory Committee on Safety of Medicinal Products (ACSoMP) also reviewed the evidence at its May 2025 meeting and agreed that the Risk Management Plan for semaglutide should be revised to incorporate NAION as a potential risk.

This includes implementing additional pharmacovigilance activities to monitor the condition more closely due to the widespread global use of semaglutide and the serious nature of NAION.

Patients currently taking semaglutide have been advised to be vigilant for any sudden loss or rapid worsening of vision.

If such symptoms occur, they should seek immediate medical attention.

If NAION is confirmed, healthcare providers are recommended to discontinue semaglutide treatment promptly to prevent further damage.

This safety alert is particularly significant because semaglutide medicines are widely used worldwide for managing diabetes and obesity.

 The WHO has received multiple individual case safety reports of NAION following semaglutide use from various countries through VigiBase, the global database for adverse drug reactions.

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