Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Increased With Semaglutide
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2025 -- For individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), semaglutide is associated with a modestly increased risk for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), according to a study published online Feb. 20 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Cindy X. Cai, M.D., from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a retrospective study across 14 databases to examine the potential association between semaglutide and NAION. Adults with T2D taking semaglutide, other glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs; dulaglutide and exenatide), or non-GLP-1 RA medications (empagliflozin, sitagliptin, and glipizide) from Dec. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2023, were included. Of 37.1 million individuals with T2D, there were 810,390 new semaglutide users.
The researchers found that among semaglutide users, the incidence rate of NAION was 14.5 per 100,000 person-years. Using the sensitive NAION definition, the hazard ratio for NAION among new users of semaglutide was not different compared with that of the non-GLP-1 RA medications empagliflozin, sitagliptin, and glipizide. Using the specific definition, the risk was higher for semaglutide users compared with patients taking empagliflozin (hazard ratio, 2.27). The risk for NAION was increased in a self-controlled case series analysis of semaglutide exposure (meta-analysis incidence rate ratio, 1.32).
"In the absence of a known mechanism for this association, we urge clinicians to weigh the concern for an increased risk of a rare but potentially blinding eye condition with the many therapeutic benefits of semaglutide," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to industry.
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted February 2025
Read this next
Many Medicaid Enrollees Have Restricted Access to SGLT2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- Many Medicaid enrollees with type 2 diabetes have restricted access to cardioprotective medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2...
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Increase Risk for Falls in Patients With Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor use is an independent risk factor for falls in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a study...
GLP-1 RAs, SGLT2 Inhibitors May Reduce Risk for Alzheimer Disease, Dementia in T2DM
THURSDAY, April 17, 2025 -- Both glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are associated with a reduced risk...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.