Drug safety
Patients sue GLP-1 makers over alleged vision loss and other serious harms
The FDA is assessing possible NAION risks and says it will decide whether regulatory action is needed after its assessment.
Patients who say GLP-1 drugs caused serious harm are suing drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, according to NPR and The BMJ. The BMJ reported that dozens of people claiming eye damage are suing the companies. NPR reported that two consolidated lawsuits allege life-threatening or life-altering injuries. A court-appointed attorney told NPR that his cases include 247 plaintiffs with NAION, a form of optic neuropathy, and more than 4,000 with other serious digestive conditions.
NPR found more than 1,000 FDA adverse-event reports of optic neuropathy linked to GLP-1 drugs since 2024, out of nearly 190,000 reports about the drugs. The reports are not verified by the FDA, and NPR noted that observational data can show a correlation but not prove the drugs caused the injuries. Novo Nordisk said the cases are without merit, while Eli Lilly said it will defend against the claims. The FDA told NPR it is studying NAION risks and will assess whether regulatory action is needed.
