Patients Sue Makers of Ozempic and Zepbound Over Alleged Vision Loss
A growing number of lawsuits accuse Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk of failing to warn that GLP-1 drugs may cause a rare eye condition called NAION. The complaints say the condition can lead to rapid vision changes and blindness, and that U.S. warning labels do not mention it while some other countries' labels do. Hundreds of cases have reportedly been filed.
Patients using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Zepbound have filed a growing set of lawsuits against Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The complaints center on NAION, a rare eye condition that can cause sudden vision changes and, in some cases, blindness. It typically appears in people older than 50, though its origins remain poorly understood.
The complaints say U.S. labels do not list this risk, whereas revised labels in some foreign countries do. Media accounts referenced in the coverage indicate that several hundred claims are pending, including in Arizona, where patients say they relied on the drugs for weight loss.
The litigation may affect patients taking GLP-1 drugs, especially older adults, by prompting more discussion of rare eye symptoms with clinicians. It could also pressure regulators and manufacturers to revisit label language, potentially altering prescribing and informed consent. For drugmakers, ongoing suits may carry reputational and financial costs, while patients with vision loss may seek compensation. The broader public debate may shape how weight-loss and diabetes treatments are perceived.