A recent study has revealed that Novo Nordisk's (NVO, Financial) popular diabetes drug, Ozempic, may elevate the risk of developing a rare eye disease known as NAION. The research, which aligns with a Harvard study from earlier this year, analyzed records from patients in Denmark and Norway. Findings indicate that diabetes patients taking Ozempic are over twice as likely to be diagnosed with NAION compared to those on another diabetes medication.
NAION occurs when reduced blood flow damages the optic nerve, primarily affecting those over 50. Although the overall incidence rate is low, Ozempic users see an increase of 1.4 cases per 10,000 people. The irreversible nature of NAION, which may lead to blindness, necessitates patient awareness of potential risks. Novo Nordisk's stock dropped 5.4% in Copenhagen following the study release.
