Increasing demand for Ozempic
There has been a rise in the sales of obesity reducing drug named Ozempic in the Indian markets. Many celebrities have also used it. Although GLP-1 drugs were originally developed to control diabetes, people are now using them for weight loss. The FDA has issued a warning about the possible side effects of this drug.
FDA warning
The FDA reported that use of drugs such as Ozempic, Vegovy, Monzaro, and Zepbound may increase the risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). It is also called eye stroke.
What is eye stroke?
Eye stroke is a condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced. This nerve transmits pictures and other visual information received from the eyes to the brain. Sometimes it may also cause blockage of blood vessels. NAION does not cause pain, but the patient suddenly develops blurred vision in one eye.
symptoms of eye stroke
Eye stroke symptoms do not cause pain. The most prominent symptom is sudden loss of eyesight or weakening of vision.
- Floaters and flashes appearing before the eyes
- blurred vision
- darkness in eyes
- changes in vision that progress over time
due to eye stroke
Eye stroke occurs when blood flow to the retina stops. This blockage can be caused by plaque and infection. This is called embolism. Apart from this, this problem can also arise due to formation of blood clots.
preventive measures
- Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
- If you have diabetes, get your sugar checked regularly.
- Keep blood pressure, cholesterol and eye pressure under control.
- Keep getting regular checkups done by your eye doctor.
- Avoid smoking.
FDA study findings
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology in 2024 looked at the incidence of NAION in patients taking the drug semaglutide. The study included 134,253 people, including 78,217 patients taking a GLP-1 drug. The study found that NAION was confirmed in 15 patients taking GLP-1 drugs, which is a matter of concern.