The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an important global safety alert regarding the use of semaglutide-containing medicines, warning about a rare but serious side effect that could lead to irreversible vision loss.
This update is highly relevant for healthcare professionals, endocrinologists, diabetologists, and all providers managing patients on semaglutide-based treatments such as Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, and Wegovy®.
🧬 What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist commonly used to manage:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity and weight loss
It is the active ingredient in some of the most prescribed medications globally, including:
- Ozempic®
- Rybelsus®
- Wegovy®
While semaglutide has been praised for its effectiveness in blood sugar control and weight reduction, new evidence has now linked it to a very rare but serious risk to vision.
👁️ What Is NAION?
The WHO alert points to a condition called Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), a leading cause of adult vision loss and the second most common optic nerve disorder after glaucoma.
Key Features of NAION:
- Sudden, painless vision loss
- Usually affects one eye (monocular)
- Associated with optic disc swelling
- Irreversible vision damage
- No known effective treatment
📢 What Does the WHO Safety Alert Say?
The WHO’s safety warning comes after a detailed safety review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Its Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) reviewed:
- Data from clinical trials
- Post-marketing safety reports
- Medical literature
- Reports from the VigiBase global adverse event database
Key Findings:
- NAION is a very rare side effect, potentially affecting up to 1 in 10,000 patients on semaglutide.
- WHO received individual case reports from multiple countries confirming this risk.
🩺 What Should Healthcare Professionals Do?
Healthcare professionals should:
- Educate patients about the early signs of NAION (e.g., sudden vision loss or blurred vision).
- Immediately discontinue semaglutide if NAION is suspected.
- Refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for urgent evaluation.
- Update patient counseling protocols to include this new risk factor.
- Monitor patients closely, especially those at higher risk for eye complications.
📦 Regulatory Updates
The EMA has recommended:
- Updating product labels of Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus® to include NAION as a listed side effect.
- Revising the Risk Management Plan for semaglutide.
- Implementing new pharmacovigilance measures globally.
🌍 Why This Alert Matters
With millions of people worldwide using semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss, even a rare risk like NAION can impact a significant number of lives.
This alert underscores the importance of post-marketing surveillance, early warning systems, and ongoing vigilance by healthcare providers.
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✅ Final Recommendations for Clinicians
- Review your patient list to identify those currently using semaglutide.
- Counsel patients proactively about the symptoms of NAION.
- Stay updated with future alerts from WHO, EMA, and national regulatory bodies.
- Report any suspected adverse events via local pharmacovigilance channels.
🩺 Final Thoughts
The WHO’s alert on semaglutide-related vision loss is a timely reminder that even well-established drugs can present new challenges. Healthcare professionals must stay informed and respond quickly to emerging safety concerns.
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