Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has sounded the alarm about a rare and potentially devastating eye condition, non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), linked to popular diabetes and weight management medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. The TGA's warning comes after monitoring 36 cases of NAION that may be associated with these treatments in Australia – a sobering reminder of the importance of ongoing safety monitoring for widely prescribed medicines.
NAION can cause permanent vision loss and even blindness. Regrettably, current medical evidence does not offer any proven treatment to improve visual acuity outcomes for patients once NAION has developed. As a result, product information documents for these medications in Australia have been updated to include the new warning, advising patients to seek urgent medical attention if they experience sudden vision loss, including partial loss of vision.
While the TGA has not recommended that patients stop taking their medication without consulting a doctor first, experts caution that NAION is a rare condition – but one that highlights the need for vigilance and prompt action in cases where symptoms arise. Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists notes that GLP-1 medications have significant benefits in managing common life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, stroke, and kidney disease.
The TGA first became aware of a potential link between NAION and these medications in 2024 after a study was published in a medical journal. Since then, the regulator has closely monitored further evidence and conducted an independent assessment, which ultimately led to the decision to update consumer and clinical safety warnings. Of the 36 reported cases in Australia's national database of suspected adverse events, Ozempic and Wegovy accounted for 23, Mounjaro for 10, and Saxenda for three – with no cases linked to dulaglutide (found in Trulicity).
In the UK, GLP-1 receptor agonists are prescribed under strict NHS guidelines for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Patients on these medications should continue their treatment as prescribed but remain vigilant for any changes in their vision. The NHS advises that any sudden or unexplained vision changes should be reported to a GP or by calling NHS 111, reinforcing the importance of ongoing vigilance and prompt action if symptoms arise.