FDA warns of vision loss risk linked to popular GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Zepbound

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring new safety warnings on all GLP-1 drugs after finding evidence of a potential increased risk of a rare eye condition, the agency said on Monday.The condition, which can cause sudden vision loss, known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), is rare, and a causal relationship has not been established. The FDA is requiring the makers of all GLP-1 medications to add a warning about the potential increased risk of NAION associated with use of these medications, it said.NAION is a condition that can result in sudden decreased vision, including permanent vision loss. It is caused by decreased blood flow to the front part of the ​optic nerve — the underlying cause is not completely understood, however. NAION cases have been reported for all currently marketed GLP-1 products, the FDA said. Ozempic and Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk said it "continues to believe the data do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship, and we remain confident in the benefit-risk profile of our GLP-1 medicines."CNBC has reached out to Eli Lilly, the company behind Mounjaro, Zepbound and Foundayo, for comment.Diabetes itself is a known risk fac...