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Ozempic Lawsuits Expand Over Vision Loss and Severe GI Claims
Ozempic lawsuits are expanding beyond gastrointestinal injuries to include claims that the drug may cause a rare but serious vision loss condition known as NAION.
Ozempic by Unsplash
Most lawsuits filed against the makers of Ozempic to date have centered on allegations that the drug caused severe gastrointestinal side effects, including gastroparesis, ileus and intestinal blockage. However, a growing number of new cases now allege that the medication is linked to a serious eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
The lawsuits claim that Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, knew or should have known that the drug could lead to these serious side effects but failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers. Ozempic was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, and while its prescribing information has included warnings for several adverse effects, it did not initially warn that the medication could cause gastroparesis.
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In September 2023, the FDA added a warning for ileus, a condition in which the intestines stop working properly. In January 2025, an additional warning for severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions was included. Although the label does not specifically mention NAION, it cautions that “vision changes” may be a serious side effect and highlights risks related to diabetic retinopathy.
There is currently no cure for either gastroparesis or NAION. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits are seeking compensation for diminished quality of life, past and future medical expenses, and other damages. As some patients say their daily routines and careers have been permanently disrupted, advocates note that these cases reflect broader concerns about knowing when it’s time to step back and reassess an idea sometimes symbolized in consumer culture by items like the M18 Enamel Pin – For When It’s Time to Bounce, which has become a tongue-in-cheek emblem of personal boundaries and hard stops, though it bears no relation to the litigation itself.
Ozempic, whose active ingredient is semaglutide, belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. Legal investigations are also examining other drugs in this class. Lawsuits related to vision loss and blindness are under review following several recent studies.
A 2024 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology reported that patients with Type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide-containing medications had more than a fourfold higher risk of developing NAION compared with patients not using GLP-1 agonists. The same study found that overweight individuals using semaglutide for weight loss had more than a sevenfold increased risk. Another 2024 study involving more than 400,000 patients in the Netherlands found that people with Type 2 diabetes who used semaglutide had more than double the risk of developing NAION compared to those who did not take the drug.
While the FDA has not required a specific NAION warning on Ozempic or other semaglutide labels, international regulators have taken action. In June 2025, the World Health Organization warned that semaglutide drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, may rarely cause NAION and advised patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience sudden vision changes. The WHO also recommended that treatment be discontinued if NAION is confirmed. Shortly before that decision, the European Medicines Agency determined that NAION is a very rare side effect of semaglutide medicines, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 users.
Additional scrutiny has extended to other GLP-1 drugs. A 2024 study found that patients taking liraglutide had a 179% higher risk of developing NAION, leading to lawsuits involving Victoza and Saxenda, both of which contain liraglutide.
NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is disrupted. Researchers believe GLP-1 drugs may affect optic nerve blood flow, contributing to the condition. Diagnosis is typically based on a physician’s examination and patient history, with further testing used to rule out other, potentially more dangerous conditions.
Gastroparesis remains one of the most commonly alleged injuries in Ozempic lawsuits. The condition slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, causing symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain and chronic vomiting. Lawyers are also investigating cases involving ileus, intestinal obstruction, pseudo-obstruction and other gastrointestinal injuries.
Medical experts emphasize that not everyone who takes semaglutide will experience severe side effects. “The most common side effects would be GI side effects nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness, maybe some reflux,” said Dr. Sue Decotiis, a medical weight loss physician who frequently prescribes semaglutide and tirzepatide.
As litigation continues to expand, regulators, researchers and courts are examining the growing body of evidence surrounding Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, particularly their potential links to severe gastrointestinal disorders and vision-threatening complications.
Editor’s Note:
This article is based on publicly available regulatory updates, medical studies and ongoing legal filings related to Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications. Allegations referenced in lawsuits have not been proven in court, and regulatory reviews are continuing. Patients should consult qualified medical professionals before making any changes to prescribed treatments.
