Increased vision impairment reports linked to semaglutide: analysis of FDA adverse event data.
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
40189538
Abstract
Background
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, has recently raised concerns about its ocular safety. This study aimed to investigate the association between semaglutide use and vision impairment using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Methods
We conducted an analysis of FAERS data, comparing reports of vision impairment associated with semaglutide to those associated with other antidiabetic and weight loss medications. The main outcome measure was the reporting odds ratio (rOR) for vision impairment linked to semaglutide use compared to other medications.
Results
Semaglutide showed significantly higher reporting of vision impairment compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists (rOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.75-2.17, p < 0.0001), DPP-4 inhibitors (rOR 2.46, 95% CI 2.12-2.86, p < 0.0001), SGLT2 inhibitors (rOR 3.89, 95% CI 3.35-4.51, p < 0.0001), and metformin (rOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.90-2.62, p < 0.0001). Similar findings were observed when compared to phentermine (rOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.07-2.31, p = 0.026) and orlistat (rOR 3.77, 95% CI 2.96-4.81, p < 0.0001). Topiramate was the sole exception, showing higher vision impairment reporting than semaglutide (rOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20-0.45, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
These findings suggest a potentially elevated risk of vision impairment with semaglutide use compared to other diabetes and weight loss medications, warranting further investigation and vigilant post-marketing surveillance. Future studies should assess the clinical impact of this potential increased risk on an absolute scale to better inform treatment decisions.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, has recently raised concerns about its ocular safety. This study aimed to investigate the association between semaglutide use and vision impairment using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Methods
We conducted an analysis of FAERS data, comparing reports of vision impairment associated with semaglutide to those associated with other antidiabetic and weight loss medications. The main outcome measure was the reporting odds ratio (rOR) for vision impairment linked to semaglutide use compared to other medications.
Results
Semaglutide showed significantly higher reporting of vision impairment compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists (rOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.75-2.17, p < 0.0001), DPP-4 inhibitors (rOR 2.46, 95% CI 2.12-2.86, p < 0.0001), SGLT2 inhibitors (rOR 3.89, 95% CI 3.35-4.51, p < 0.0001), and metformin (rOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.90-2.62, p < 0.0001). Similar findings were observed when compared to phentermine (rOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.07-2.31, p = 0.026) and orlistat (rOR 3.77, 95% CI 2.96-4.81, p < 0.0001). Topiramate was the sole exception, showing higher vision impairment reporting than semaglutide (rOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20-0.45, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
These findings suggest a potentially elevated risk of vision impairment with semaglutide use compared to other diabetes and weight loss medications, warranting further investigation and vigilant post-marketing surveillance. Future studies should assess the clinical impact of this potential increased risk on an absolute scale to better inform treatment decisions.
Date Issued
2025-04-07
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Subjects
Diabetes
•
Obesity
•
Semaglutide
•
Vision impairment
Language(s)
en
Journal
BMC Medicine
Publisher
BioMed Central
ISSN
1741-7015
Access(Rights)
open.access