Lawsuit Alleges Blindness Due to Ozempic in Maryland Man
A Maryland man, Todd Engel, 62, has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the diabetes and weight loss medication Ozempic, claiming that the drug caused him to lose his sight and become legally blind. Engel was prescribed Ozempic in 2023 to manage his Type 2 diabetes. Four months later, he was diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that curtails blood flow to the optic nerve and can result in irreversible vision loss.
According to a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey state court, attorneys for Engel assert that Novo Nordisk was negligent in failing to adequately warn patients and medical professionals about the risk of vision-related complications associated with Ozempic. The lawsuit notes that Novo Nordisk had access to trial information that identified cases of NAION among Ozempic recipients.
Some scientists have suggested that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may be associated with a higher risk of developing NAION. The lawsuit builds upon a study published in "JAMA Ophthalmology" earlier this year, which raises concerns about a potential increased risk of NAION in individuals using Ozempic.
However, a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk has stated that NAION is not a byproduct or reaction to Ozempic. The company maintains that its position on semaglutides "remains unchanged" after conducting a thorough evaluation of studies by the University of Southern Denmark. The company emphasizes that it takes all reports and complaints of complications seriously.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. An attorney for Engel stated that he hopes Engel's story will highlight a potentially unforeseen side effect of a medication that has gained a reputation as a "miracle drug." Due to the irreversible nature of NAION, patients experiencing sudden vision changes while taking Ozempic are urged to seek urgent medical evaluation.
- Todd Engel's lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, alleges that the drug may have contributed to his diagnosis of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a medical condition that affects eye-health.
- The lawsuit suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may have a higher risk of causing chronic diseases such as NAION, a claim that is supported by a study published in "JAMA Ophthalmology."
- While Novo Nordisk denies any link between Ozempic and the development of NAION, the company admits to taking all reports of complications seriously, emphasizing their commitment to health-and-wellness and neurological-disorders research.
- Engel's attorney hopes that his client's story will bring attention to the potential risks associated with Ozempic, especially in light of its reputation as a popular treatment for Type 2 diabetes and chronic-diseases management, and encourage patients to seek urgent medical attention if they experience sudden vision changes.
