A 62-year-old Maryland resident, Todd Engel, has initiated legal action against pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk, alleging that Ozempic caused him to become legally blind. The lawsuit contends that the company failed to properly warn patients about potential vision-related complications.

According to the New Jersey-filed complaint, Engel was prescribed Ozempic in 2023 to treat Type 2 diabetes. Approximately four months later, he was diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) – a condition characterized by sudden, irreversible vision loss resulting from diminished blood flow to the optic nerve.

The litigation accuses Novo Nordisk of negligence for omitting serious eye complication risks from its warning label despite allegedly possessing relevant clinical trial information. While some research suggests a possible connection between semaglutide (Ozempic’s active ingredient) and NAION, medical experts note that diabetes itself represents a risk factor for this condition and emphasize that additional research is necessary to establish causation.

Novo Nordisk maintains that NAION is not classified as an adverse reaction to Ozempic and that their safety assessments have not indicated a causal relationship. The company emphasizes that treatment decisions should involve healthcare professional consultation. Engel’s lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and requests a jury trial.