UK regulator warns Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide) may be linked to rare sudden vision loss condition

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published February 10, 2026

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The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a new safety warning about semaglutide medicines (including Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), citing extremely rare reports of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)—a serious optic nerve condition that can cause sudden, painless vision loss, typically in one eye.

MHRA advises anyone experiencing sudden vision loss or rapidly worsening eyesight while taking semaglutide to seek urgent medical care and report suspected side effects via the Yellow Card scheme.

The warning aligns with the European Medicines Agency’s safety review, which concluded NAION is a “very rare” side effect of semaglutide and recommended updating product information accordingly.