A Maryland man is suing the manufacturer of Ozempic after claiming the drug caused him to lose his vision. Todd Engel, 62, who was prescribed Ozempic in 2023 to manage his Type 2 diabetes, alleges that the drug led to a rare condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which caused his sudden, permanent blindness.
Engel was diagnosed with NAION just four months after starting Ozempic, a drug widely used for both diabetes management and weight loss. NAION is a condition that results from reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to irreversible vision loss.
While NAION affects about 10 in every 100,000 people over 50, Engel’s lawsuit claims that Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, failed to warn patients and doctors of the potential risk.
The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey’s Superior Court, accuses the company of negligence for not including a warning about NAION on the drug’s label. It suggests that Novo Nordisk knew about cases of NAION from its clinical trials but chose not to include the risk in the product’s warnings.
In response, Novo Nordisk stated that there is no proven link between Ozempic and NAION. The company maintains that the benefits of the drug, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, outweigh any risks, particularly since eye conditions are common among people with diabetes. Novo Nordisk emphasized that any decision to use prescription medication should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.
Engel’s attorney, Jonathan Orent, said Engel experienced gradual vision loss, ultimately becoming legally blind. The vision impairment forced Engel to quit his job as a motor equipment operator and significantly impacted his personal life. “It’s painful to know he’ll never see his wife smile again,” Orent said.
This is not the first lawsuit against Novo Nordisk over Ozempic. Another recent legal claim raised similar concerns. Engel’s lawsuit adds to ongoing debates about the potential link between Ozempic and NAION, with a 2024 study suggesting people taking semaglutide are more likely to develop the condition. However, experts caution that more research is needed to establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet commented on the issue. While the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System includes hundreds of reports linking Ozempic to eye problems, the agency has warned that the data may not be entirely accurate.
Dr. Andrew Lee, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, expressed interest in further studies on semaglutide’s impact on eye health. However, he urged patients concerned about side effects to consult their doctors before discontinuing the drug.
Engel’s lawsuit seeks damages and a jury trial, with hopes that his case will shed light on the potential risks of a drug many view as a miracle treatment.
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