Less than a month after a new Medicare program let older Americans receive GLP-1 medications for just $50 a month, a growing number of lawsuits are being filed by people who say they were not sufficiently warned that taking it could result in vision loss.
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against the companies behind the most popular GLP-1 medications from people who have been diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The disorder is rare, but can cause rapid-onset vision changes and loss that can result in blindness. It typically occurs in people over the age of 50 and is usually permanent.
NAION is not listed on the warning labels for GLP-1 medications in the U.S., but is included in some other countries. In June, Novo Nordisk updated labels for Wegovy and Ozempic in Europe to read that semaglutide, an active ingredient in weight-loss drugs, may cause NAION in up to one in 10,000 patients.
Evidence linking GLP-1 medications and NAION is mixed. While some research has suggested a possible association, other studies have found no correlation between the two. In May, The American Academy of Ophthalmology said there was insufficient evidence for a blanket warning, writing “causality has not been established.”
What do GLP-1 makers say?
“Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority,” Eli Lilly and Company, an American pharmaceutical company that manufactures Mounjaro and Zepbound, said in a statement to Moneywise.
“We actively monitor, evaluate and report safety information for all our medicines to the FDA. As part of our routine safety review process, we have ongoing discussions with regulators regarding potential safety topics and we will continue to review data, including any data regarding ophthalmic issues. If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking a Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.”
Novo, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, said it believed the personal injury lawsuits were “without merit and we are defending them.”
“Patient safety is a top priority for Novo, and we take all reports of adverse events seriously,” Liz Skrbkova, head of U.S. media and stakeholder relations for Novo, told Moneywise. “We care deeply about the wellbeing of people who take our medicines and collaborate closely with health authorities and regulatory bodies worldwide. Semaglutide has a well-established safety profile, supported by robust clinical development programs. We recommend that all patients maintain close contact with their healthcare professional for proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment, ongoing guidance and careful monitoring.”
The lawsuits surrounding GLP-1 drugs and NAION didn’t just pop up. In January, a Maryland truck driver claimed an “eye stroke” left him blind and he blamed it on GLP-1 drugs. And while the current lawsuits represent a small fraction of the people taking the weight-loss drugs, recent changes in availability are putting more of a spotlight on them.
Just under three months ago, a new federal program expanded access to GLP-1 drugs under a program known as Medicare Bridge. At the end of August, federal officials said 600,000 older Americans had signed up to receive the drugs, which cost just $50 per month.
Medical officials say patients who are taking semaglutide who haven’t experienced any symptoms should continue to take the meds. People who have not started yet and are concerned about the risk of NAION should consult their doctors before deciding whether to proceed with GLP-1 drugs.
Chris Morris is a veteran journalist with more than 35 years of experience at many of the internet's biggest news outlets. In addition to his activities as a writer, reporter and editor, Chris is also a frequent panel moderator and speaker at major conferences, including CES and South by Southwest.
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