It is a very rare side effect that can affect up to one in 10,000 people treated with semaglutide, writes the Medical Products Agency in a press release and refers to the EU's medicines agency EMA and its safety committee.
The eye disease Naion (non-arteritic anterior optic neuritis) is caused by reduced blood supply to the optic nerve in the eye and can lead to loss of vision. According to the Medical Products Agency, patients with type 2 diabetes may have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Semaglutide is the active substance in the medicines Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy. They are used to treat diabetes and in some cases obesity. The medicines increase the amount of insulin that the pancreas releases in response to food and help to control blood sugar levels. At the same time, the substance increases the feeling of fullness in the patient.
EMA has recommended that the product information for the medicines be updated and that Naion be included as a very rare side effect.
