This event \u2013 called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) \u2013 causes \u201csudden, painless vision loss in one eye,\u201d with patients describing it as \u201cblurring or cloudiness of vision,\u201d the press release said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NQ4OCBPCAAKBQRUCX6YJ2PI7DQ.jpg\")
Ozempic The injectable drug Ozempic is shown in Houston, Saturday, July 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/AP-David J. Phillip
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Dr. Mahyar Etminan, a drug safety epidemiologist with Epilytics, told CTVNews.ca in an email that use of GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy can increase the risk of vision loss, independent of other risk factors. <\/p>\n
\u201cThose with diabetes and cardiovascular disease might be at a higher risk, but we are also seeing them in people otherwise healthy who are taking these drugs to just lose a few pounds,\u201d Etimnan said Monday.<\/p>\n
The MHRA warns that patients who are taking semaglutide and experiencing a change in their eyesight should \u201curgently\u201d seek medical attention, preferably eye-care specialists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the potential risk of NAION for patients prescribed semaglutide is extremely small, it is important that patients and health-care professionals are alert to the associated symptoms,\u201d Dr. Allison Cave, the MHRA\u2019s chief safety officer, said in the news release.<\/p>\n
According to the MHRA, studies suggest that this event could affect up to one in 10,000 people who are taking semaglutide.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WQN4PEY3CRHVVPUR67NC6UM55Q.jpg\")
Ozempic is shown at a pharmacy in Toronto on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Joe O’Connal Ozempic is shown at a pharmacy in Toronto on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Joe O’Connal \u2018Seek medical advice immediately\u2019 if vision changes: doctor<\/p>\n
Since the use of semaglutide was first authorized in the U.K. in 2018, three \u201cspontaneous\u201d reports of vision impairment associated with the drug have been reported as of August 2025, the press release added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe MHRA is reviewing any evidence for an association with other GLP-1 agonists,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
However, Etminan said it was important to tell people that it is a rare occurrence.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople should not be alarmed, but if anyone on these drugs notices a change in vision, they need to seek medical advice immediately,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Etminan said he is not aware of any cases of vision loss connected with semaglutide reported in Canada.<\/p>\n
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An advertisement for Ozempic is seen on an advertisement board in Toronto, Friday, June 16, 2023.. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Cole Burston An advertisement for Ozempic is seen on an advertisement board in Toronto, Friday, June 16, 2023.. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Cole Burston <\/p>\n
While Ozempic and other prescription-based semaglutide medications are authorized in Canada to treat Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, Wegovy is known to be approved for prescription for weight loss, according to the Canadian Medical Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n Canadians can only get GLP-1 drugs with a prescription from their health-care provider.<\/p>\n In January, Health Canada issued a public advisory warning that counterfeit versions of Ozempic<\/a>, Rybelsus and Wegovy were being sold in various retailers in Canada.<\/p>\n \u201cSome websites and social media advertisements misuse official Health Canada logos and display fake endorsements to mislead consumers,\u201d the advisory said.<\/p>\n