A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has raised concerns about a potential link between the popular weight loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, and a rare eye condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can cause blindness.
Consumers Affected: Individuals taking Wegovy, Ozempic, or Rybelsus, all of which contain the active ingredient semaglutide.
Reason for Lawsuits: Lawsuits allege that the drug manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the potential risk of vision loss or other side affects associated with these medications.
Court: Multiple lawsuits have been filed in various jurisdictions, and an MDL has been established in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to consolidate the litigation.
The extremely popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic may vastly increase chances of contracting a serious eye disorder that can cause sight-loss, a new study has found.
Patients taking Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus could all face the increased risk of developing NAION, given the drugs all contain the same active ingredient linked to the condition, semaglutide. The three drugs belong to a class of medications known as GLP1 receptor agonists, Reuters reports.
Click HERE to Fill out the form on this page to find out if you qualify for a claim.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common cause of acute optic nerve injury in people over 50. Despite how common it is, a lot remains unknown about the condition including how it develops and effective treatments.
What is known is that NAION can stem from insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve, and causes sudden painless vision loss in one eye. The condition is the second most common cause of blindness due to optic nerve damage, after glaucoma. White people over the age of 50 are most at risk of developing NAION.
AAO says there is no consensus on the percentage of cases that will deteriorate or improve, but it’s estimated that approximately 70% of patients will remain static with no change in vision; 20% will have modest improvement ; and 10% will experience progressive worsening over the first four weeks, but will stabilize by two months.
Semaglutide is the main ingredient in Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, and it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March this year (under the brand name Wegovy) after being found to effectively treat heart conditions, amongst other issues.
According to Yale Medicine, semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist anti-obesity medication that has several cardiovascular benefits, including lowering the risk of major cardiac events, such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death, by 20%, according to a recent trial. The trial tracked 17,604 adults aged 45 and older who had overweight or obesity and a cardiovascular condition, but no history of diabetes, for three years.
The study found those taking Wegovy also had a 28% reduction in heart attacks, a 7% decrease in non-fatal strokes, and a 15% drop in cardiovascular-related deaths, as well as a 19% lower death rate from any cause.
Click HERE to Fill out the form on this page to find out if you qualify for a claim.
The study, which was released this month and reported in JAMA Ophthalmology, involved 710 adults with type 2 diabetes and 979 taking medications for weight loss, and was conducted over 36-months.
Researchers found the rate of NAION was 8.9% for those taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, compared with 1.8% for patients taking non-GLP-1 diabetes medications. For patients taking semaglutide for overweight or obesity, the rate of NAION was 6.7%, versus 0.8% for those receiving other types of medications for weight-loss.
Taking into account patients’ other risk factors, including high blood pressure and obstructive sleep apnea, semaglutide was linked to a more than four times higher risk of contracting NAION in those receiving it for diabetes and a more than seven times higher risk in patients taking it for obesity, the study found.
Click HERE to Fill out the form on this page to find out if you qualify for a claim.
While semaglutide offers significant benefits for many Americans, it's important to be aware of the potential risks. The FDA has reported side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, low blood sugar (in those taking other diabetes medications), pancreas or gallbladder issues, eye problems, and even suicidal behavior.
People who have suffered severe side effects after taking Ozempic have already filed numerous lawsuits against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which have been brought together as an MDL and with a judge recently appointing a committee of eight plaintiffs' lawyers to lead the complex litigation against drugmakers.
If you're taking semaglutide:
If you or a loved one experiences severe gastrointestinal symptoms, vision loss, or other adverse effects potentially linked to Ozempic or similar GLP-1 medications, seeking a free case review from an experienced Ozempic attorney can help you understand your options and explore the possibility of compensation.
Click HERE to Fill out the form on this page to find out if you qualify for a claim.
Injury Claims keeps you informed about lawsuits large and small that could affect your daily life. We simplify the complexities of class actions lawsuits, open class action settlements, mass torts, and individual cases to ensure you understand how these legal matters could impact your rights and interests.
If you think a recent legal case might affect you, action is required. Select a class action lawsuit or class action settlement, share your details, and connect with a qualified attorney who will explain your legal options and assist in pursuing any compensation due. Take the first step now to secure your rights.