Lawsuit claims a Maryland diabetic individual developed blindness following the use of Ozempic medication.
A Maryland man, Todd Engel, 62, who started using Ozempic in 2023 to manage his Type 2 diabetes, finds himself in a legal battle with the drug's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. Engel's lawsuit alleges that the manufacturer failed to warn patients about the potential risk of vision loss, a side effect he experienced after four months.
Engel was diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition characterized by a sudden and irreversible loss of blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Studies have shown that patients prescribed semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may have an increased risk of developing NAION, especially for those with diabetes or comorbidities like hypertension.
NAION is relatively uncommon, affecting approximately 10 in every 100,000 people over the age of 50, as stated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, initially designed for Type 2 diabetes, has skyrocketed due to their recent weight loss prowess.
The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey, claims that Novo Nordisk had access to information about NAION cases dating back to its clinical trials but did not include the condition in its warning label. The litigation accuses Novo Nordisk of negligence and asserts that they had a duty to inform patients and physicians about the risk of serious eye problems.
Some experts argue that while evidence indicates a possible association between Ozempic and NAION, it's still too early to definitively determine whether semaglutide raises the risk of developing the condition. diabetes itself is a risk factor for NAION and other eye issues, adding complexity to determining causality.
In response to the lawsuit, Novo Nordisk maintains that NAION is not an adverse drug reaction to Ozempic and other GLP-1s, noting that their benefit-risk profile for semaglutide "remains unchanged" after a thorough evaluation of data. The company emphasizes that it takes reports of adverse events seriously, including eye conditions.
If Engel had known about the potential link between blindness and Ozempic, he would have considered alternative treatment options, according to his attorney, Jonathan Orent. This lawsuit is not the only one of its kind; another law firm has filed a similar suit against Novo Nordisk.
While more research is needed to confirm a causal relationship between the drugs and NAION, patients who are concerned should consult their doctors before making any decisions. The potential benefits of treatment with prescription-only medicines should be carefully weighed against the potential risks.
Engel's lawsuit seeks damages and a jury trial, with hopes that his story will shed light on another side of the drug, often considered a "miracle cure." Additional studies, including those from the University of Southern Denmark, continue to explore the potential link between GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and irreversible eye diseases like NAION.
- Todd Engel, a Maryland man diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), alleges in a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk that the manufacturer of his prescribed medication, Ozempic, failed to warn patients about the potential risk of vision loss.
- Studies have linked semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, to an increased risk of developing NAION, especially for diabetes and hypertension patients.
- In response to the lawsuit, Novo Nordisk maintains that NAION is not an adverse drug reaction to Ozempic, highlighting that its benefit-risk profile remains unchanged after evaluation of data.
- Patients with concerns about potential links between blindness and Ozempic should consult their doctors before making any decisions, keeping in mind the potential benefits and risks of prescription medicines.
- Engel's attorney, Jonathan Orent, asserts that had Engel known about the possible connection between blindness and Ozempic, he would have explored alternative treatment options.
- Other lawsuits similar to Engel's have been filed, accusing Novo Nordisk of negligence and failure to inform patients and physicians about the risk of serious eye problems.
- Engel's lawsuit, seeking damages and a jury trial, hopes to shed light on the lesser-known side effects of Ozempic, often regarded as a "miracle cure."
- Additional research, including studies from the University of Southern Denmark, is being conducted to examine the potential connection between GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and irreversible eye diseases like NAION.
