Semaglutide Associated with Increased Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Semaglutide Associated with Increased Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Summary: A retrospective matched cohort study published in JAMA Ophthalmology investigated the association between semaglutide prescriptions and the risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Key findings include:

  1. In patients with type 2 diabetes, those prescribed semaglutide had a higher risk of NAION compared to those on non-GLP-1 RA medications (HR, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.62-11.29; P < .001).
  2. Among overweight or obese patients, semaglutide prescriptions were associated with an increased risk of NAION (HR, 7.64; 95% CI, 2.21-26.36; P < .001).
  3. The cumulative incidence of NAION over 36 months was higher in semaglutide groups for both diabetic (8.9% vs 1.8%) and overweight/obese (6.7% vs 0.8%) populations.
  4. The study included 16,827 patients evaluated by neuro-ophthalmologists at one academic institution from 2017 to 2023.
  5. While the study suggests an association, the authors emphasize that future research is needed to assess causality.

This study highlights a potential risk associated with semaglutide use, warranting further investigation and consideration in clinical practice.


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Reference: Hathaway, J.T., Shah, M.P., Hathaway, D.B., Zekavat, S.M., Krasniqi, D., Gittinger Jr, J.W., ... & Rizzo III, J.F. (2024). Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients Prescribed Semaglutide. JAMA Ophthalmology, 142(8), 732-739. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.2296

Hashtags:#Semaglutide #NAION #DrugSafety #Ophthalmology #DiabetesMedication #ObesityTreatment #GLP1RA

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