The FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication on November 9, 2026 informing patients and health care providers of a potential increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) associated with use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications. NAION is a rare condition that can result in acute, painless, decreased vision in one eye, including permanent vision loss.
GLP-1 RAs are a class of medications that mimic the effects of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that the intestine releases. GLP-1 helps lower blood glucose (sugar) levels after eating and acts in parts of the brain that control appetite and food intake. GLP-1 RAs are widely used to treat people with type 2 diabetes or to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term. There are additional approved uses in adults for several medications in this drug class.
Data from an analysis of 126 randomized, controlled clinical trials across multiple GLP-1 RAs showed an occurrence of 6.4 NAION cases per 100,000 person-years (PY) in patients treated with GLP-1 RAs compared to 3.8 NAION cases per 100,000 PY for patients treated with a placebo or a non-GLP-1 RA glucose-lowering medication. Based on published literature, the incidence of NAION in the general population is 2.3 to 10.2 cases per 100,000 persons per year in adults older than age 50. Patients with a history of NAION are at increased risk of recurrence.
NAION is caused by decreased blood flow to the front part of the optic nerve (known as the optic disc), but the underlying cause is not completely understood. Risk factors may include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, anemia, and kidney disease. If NAION has occurred in one eye, there is an increased risk that it will occur in the other eye.
Symptoms of NAION include sudden, painless vision loss in one eye that patients may notice upon waking; blurred or missing portions of vision (visual defects such as blind spots or tunnel vision); distortion of colors; and reduced central sharpness (e.g., blurry or hazy spots). Patients should contact their health care professional right away if they have any of these symptoms.
NAION cases have been reported for all currently marketed GLP-1 RA products. The FDA concluded that there is a potential increased risk of rare NAION events in patients taking GLP-1 RAs. Based on these findings, the FDA is requiring that application holders add information about the risk for NAION to the Warnings and Precautions section of labeling of all GLP-1 RAs.
If you or a loved one were taking a GLP-1 and experienced NAION, you should promptly contact a GLP-1 NAION lawyer in your U.S. state who investigate your NAION GLP-1 claim for you and represent you in a GLP-1 NAION claim, if appropriate.
Visit our website or telephone us on our toll-free telephone number in the United States (800-295-3959) to be connected with GLP-1 NAION lawyers who may assist you with your GLP-1 NAION claim.
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