What is the NAION safety controversy?
The EMA concluded in June 2025 that NAION — sudden, usually permanent vision loss — is a very rare semaglutide side effect with a ~2x increased risk in type 2 diabetes, yet US labels for Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus still carried no NAION warning as of August 2026.
In June 2025 the European Medicines Agency's safety committee concluded that NAION, an eye condition that can cause sudden, usually permanent vision loss, is a very rare side effect of semaglutide, affecting up to 1 in 10,000 users, and that studies suggest about a two-fold increased risk in people with type 2 diabetes. It recommended stopping treatment if NAION is confirmed. The WHO issued a medical product alert later that month. A US plaintiff firm reports that as of August 2026, US labels for Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus still contained no NAION warning, and that product liability lawsuits cite this gap, with bellwether trials expected late 2026 or 2027. Novo maintains that semaglutide's benefits outweigh its risks.