GLP-1 drugs getting new labels warning of rare vision-loss condition

article Photo illustration of a group of weight loss injection pens on a weight scale. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The Brief The FDA is adding new warning labels to GLP-1 drugs regarding a condition that could lead to vision loss. The FDA decided to add the labels after looking at 125 clinical trials and says it is associated with all GLP-1 medications. There are a dozen GLP-1 drugs on the market, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. All GLP-1 drugs, which include popular brands like Ozempic and Wegovy, will soon carry new labels warning people taking the medications about a possible side effect that could lead to permanent vision loss. Why you should care: The Food and Drug Administration explained the labels will alert patients to a potential eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. While doctors do not know what causes the rare condition, it can lead to decreased blood flow through the optic nerve. The backstory: The FDA began investigating the link after a 2024 medical paper tied the condition to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. The problem has been associated with all GLP-1 drugs, a class of medications that includes both injectable and pill forms. There are a dozen different brands, including widely used ones like Zepbound and Mounjaro. RELATED: Blood sugar spikes could hinge on the order you eat your food, study suggests By the numbers: FDA officials studied 125 clinical trials and found that roughly 6 in 100,000 people who took a GLP-1 for more than a year developed the condition. People taking a placebo or other glucose-lowering medications was less than 4 per 100,000. Dig deeper: Symptoms of the eye condition include blurred vision, blind spots, distorted colors, and other visual disturbances, the FDA stated. Federal health officials recommend that anyone experiencing those issues contact a health care professional immediately. The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Food and Drug Administration and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando, Florida. Health Health Care