Wegovy weight‑loss drug shows stronger safety signal for rare vision loss as UK rolls out oral pill

A new analysis of more than 30 million FDA adverse‑event reports identified a safety signal for non‑arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition sometimes described as an “eye stroke.” The signal was nearly five times stronger for Wegovy, the high‑dose semaglutide formulation used for weight loss, than for Ozempic, suggesting a possible dose‑related risk. The researchers emphasized that the findings indicate a pattern that warrants further study rather than proving causation.

Wegovy is among the most prescribed weight‑loss medications in the United States, with millions of patients using GLP‑1 receptor agonists. While the condition is rare, NAION can cause sudden, often permanent, loss of vision in one eye.

Separately, the United Kingdom has introduced a daily oral Wegovy tablet, priced from £79, requiring patients to fast for at least eight hours and to take the pill with no more than 120 ml of water. The strict administration regimen has drawn criticism from some users who find it more burdensome than the weekly injection.

Both developments highlight ongoing scrutiny of semaglutide‑based therapies as they expand globally.