Popular medicines for diabetes and weight loss Could have an unexpected side effect.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptoragonists, who are used to treat type 2 and/or obesity diabetes, were linked to vision problems in a small study at the University of British Columbia.
Some usual GLP-1 medicines Take Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain semaglutide as the active ingredient, and Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain tirzepatide.
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In the study, nine patients who used a GLP-1 developed “ophthalmic complications,” said the researchers. The average age of the patients was 57.4 years, according to the findings of the study.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptoragonists, who are used to treat type 2 and/or obesity diabetes, were linked to vision problems in a small examination. (Istock)
Seven of the patients had non -arteritic front ischemic optical neuropathy (NAION), which causes loss of vision in one eye.
One patient developed bilateral papillitis, in which swollen optical nerves are involved that can cause a reduced vision, and another had paracentrale acute middle maculopathy, leading to a blind spot in the retina.
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All patients had a history of type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high lipids or fats in the blood), hypertension and/or Sleeping apnea.
The findings were published in Jama -Ooghulkunde.
“In one of the cases presented, the patient used the drugs for weight loss and had no earlier history of diabetes (which can also be linked to the condition)” British Columbia told Fox News Digital.
A doctor (not depicted) emphasized that these medicines should only be taken under the care of a caregiver and that “good and consistent follow-up for dose adjustments with monitoring for side effects” is crucial. (Istock)
“In another case, when the medicine was stopped and reintroduced, the condition appeared, which strengthens a causal link.”
Ziyad Al-Aley, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, was not involved in the study, but shared his comments about the findings.
“This is a very small investigation and it was uncontrolled-which means that it did not include people who did not use GLP-1 drugs,” he told Fox News Digital.
“The story of GLP-1 is still written-and we learn something new about these medicines every day.”
“This makes it impossible to know whether the reported eye problems are caused by these drugs.”
Nevertheless, the doctor noted: “The story of GLP-1 is still written-and we learn something new every day about these medicines. The findings in this study must be pursued further.”
Seven of the patients in the study developed non -arteritic front ischemic optical neuropathy (Naion), which causes loss of vision in one eye. (Istock)
Etminan, head study author, also acknowledged the limitations of the study.
“This data is derived from a series of individual cases and were not an epidemiological examination,” he noted. “Another recent epidemiological examination also confirmed an increase in the risk.”
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Al-Aly called for large, controlled studies and people who use the medicine and a control group of people who use the medicine to evaluate the health effects of these drugs, including eye problems.
“In the meantime, for people who may run the risk of vision problems or who already have vision problems, careful,” he added. “People should Discuss with their doctors To determine whether GLP-1 is the right medication for them. “
“This is a very small study and it was uncontrolled-which means that it did not include people who did not use GLP-1 drugs,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (Istock)
Etminan repeated that warning guidance.
“Those who use these drugs for diabetes should probably continue to take them for them Cardiovascular benefitsBut keep aware of the signs of Naion, “he advised.
“Healthy persons they take with them to lose a few pounds for an event may want the risks to carefully weigh versus the benefits of taking these medicines.”
“Most of the side effects seem to resolve when the medicine is stopped.”
Dr. Seth Kipnis, medical director of Bariatric and robot surgery at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, noted that there have been “rare and unusual side effects” of this class of medicines, but he believes the Vision changes seem to be more related to the rapid changes in the blood sugar caused by the medication than to the medicines themselves.
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“We have encouraged patients who participated in these types of medicines to report unusual symptoms to them prescribing doctors‘,’ Kipnis, who was also not involved in the research, Fox News Digital told.
“Most of the side effects seem to resolve when the medicine is stopped.”
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Kipnis emphasized that these medicines should only be taken under the care of a care provider and that “good and consistent follow-up for dose adjustments with monitoring for side effects” is crucial.
When FOX News Digital was contacted, Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic and Wegovy) granted the next explanation.
“Those who use these drugs for diabetes should probably continue to take for their cardiovascular benefits, but pay attention to the signs of Naion,” a doctor advised. (Istock)
“Afterion is a very rare eye disease and it is not an adverse drug reaction for the formulations of Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Rybelsus® and Wegovy®) on the market according to the approved labels. After a thorough evaluation of studies of the University of Southern de Interne Safety evaluation of Denmark and Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk is of the opinion that the profile risk profile of Semaglutide remains unchanged. “
The company also noted that eye conditions are “well -known comorbidities” for people Living with diabetes.
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“Every decision to start treatment with medicines that are only on prescription must be taken in consultation with a health care professional who has to do a benefit risk evaluation for the patient in question, so that the benefits of treatment with the potential Risks are weighed, “added Novo Nordisk.
