Another study has been published suggesting that patients taking semaglutide—the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster drug Ozempic—may face a higher risk of developing a rare eye condition that can lead to blindness.
“The glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) semaglutide has quickly become a key treatment for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Recent findings have raised concern about a potential association between semaglutide use and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION),” according to a new Danish–Norwegian study, backing up similar results from a Harvard University study published in July.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, causing sudden vision loss.
Bloomberg first reported the results on Friday afternoon. The findings were initially published on Wednesday on medRxiv, an online platform for sharing research.
The results indicate that a type 2 diabetes patient taking Ozempic for two decades would have a .3% to .5% chance of developing NAION.
“The vision loss is usually irreversible and there is no treatment. Given the serious nature of this potential adverse effect of semaglutide, we leveraged the nationwide Danish and Norwegian health registries to further investigate this association,” according to authors from the University of Southern Denmark, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and the University of Copenhagen.
The authors emphasized: “Given the well-established effects of semaglutide in managing both diabetes and obesity, it is crucial to weigh the potential risk of NAION against the substantial therapeutic benefits of semaglutide. While the association observed for the use of semaglutide in type 2 diabetes represents a two-fold or higher relative risk increase…”
The Nordic study comes months after Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear found the rising risk of Ozempic patients developing NAION.
In Copenhagen, Novo shares slid as much as 5.4%. Since peaking in June at 1,000 Krone, shares have entered a bear market (-26%).
I have a couple of issues with this article I would like to address. First of all, I am a diabetic. My highest A1C was 13.1 in August of 2022. I have been on 2 different diabetes medications of the years. I started taking Ozempic in June of 2024. My weight at that time was 220. Forward to today, weight is at 202 and A1C is 5.9. Now back to the article.
The results indicate that a type 2 diabetes patient taking Ozempic for two decades would have a .3% to .5% chance of developing NAION. [ Ozempic has been on the market since 2017 when it was approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. How can you have a 2 decade study if Ozempic has only been on the market for 7 years ? ]
What percentage of type 2 diabetics go blind?
Although many people with diabetes develop impaired vision, fewer than 5% suffer severe vision loss. For a person who has diabetes, the risk of developing retinopathy is directly related to the length of time they’ve had diabetes. Mar 17, 2023. [ .3% to .5% chance of developing NAION. Keep in mind, these figures are not even a full percentage point. ]
What percentage of diabetics lose limbs?
About 38 million Americans have diabetes, and each year a staggering 154,000 Americans will suffer amputations, roughly 80% of which will be the result of complications from diabetes .Jul 25, 2024. [ You have a higher chance of losing a limb than you do going blind. ] [ I have a higher than high chance of losing my right leg due to diabetes and other major issues in my right leg. I’ve had 4 bypass surgeries in my right leg due to having cancer in my right leg back in 1990. Last bypass surgery in 2013. If current bypass fails, I’ll lose my leg at the hip. } [ I’ll lose my leg before I might go blind ]
The cost of Ozempic varies depending on whether you have insurance, if you qualify for discount programs, and the type of Ozempic you use:
Without insurance
The retail price of Ozempic is $968.52 per month. However, you might be able to save money through savings programs.
Ozempic can be manufactured for between 89 cents and $4.73:
Manufacturing costs
The study’s authors estimated that the manufacturing costs for a month’s supply of Ozempic are between 89 cents and $4.73, including a profit margin and taxes.
Disposable pens
The study’s authors estimated that the disposable pens used to inject Ozempic can be made for no more than $2.83 per month’s supply.
Active ingredient
The study’s authors estimated that the active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, can be produced for about 29 cents for a month’s supply, or 7.2 cents for a typical weekly dose.
I am so sorry that I let my response to get this long. I just wanted to get my side of the story out there and to show some facts that the article doesn’t show.
Thanks for the facts 8:33, good information