Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs have taken the world by storm.
Originally designed to help diabetics control their blood sugar, they’re now widely prescribed for weight loss thanks to their appetite-suppressing effects.
These GLP-1 receptor agonists are hailed for reducing hunger, lowering glucose, and offering additional heart benefits. They seem almost too good to be true.
But new research suggests that might be exactly the case.
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A side effect no one expected
In a study from the University of Toronto, scientists tracked more than a million diabetic patients and focused on nearly 50,000 who had been prescribed GLP-1 drugs.
Most were on semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic.
The researchers discovered that after just six months of use, patients had double the risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration — a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness.
Those who stayed on the drug for over 30 months saw their risk more than triple.
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The risk is even higher for some
Older patients and those with a history of stroke were especially vulnerable, according to the findings.
Dr. Marko Popovic, co-author of the study, urges caution. He warns that these medications may have unintended effects on the eyes, particularly in patients already at risk.
While the drugmaker, Novo Nordisk, has pushed back, saying clinical trials haven't shown such effects, experts argue the sheer scale of the new data warrants concern.
With millions using these drugs globally, even a small percentage developing serious eye damage could translate into thousands of affected lives.
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This article is based on information from The Guardian.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.