Mounjaro and Ozempic users warned about terrifying hidden symptom from taking weight loss drugs

Experts have raised an urgent alert about a potential side effect linked to widely used drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.

The drug that has been credited with transforming the world of weight loss by nullifying the cravings of those looking to shed the pounds, was originally introduced as a treatment for type 2 diabetes to help reduce and regulate blood sugar levels.

While semaglutide, which comes under the brand name Ozempic, is yet to receive FDA approval for treatment-targeted weight loss, its competitor, Mounjaro, has been in receipt of formal FDA-verification as a treatment for obesity and weight loss, as well as for its initial purpose.

What have experts discovered?

However, in a recent development, scientists have cited a potential increase in risk of certain kinds of vision loss in people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the University of Toronto have now found that GLP‑1 drugs, a class that includes both Ozempic and Mounjaro, are associated with a considerably higher risk of developing neovascular age‑related macular degeneration (AMD), a serious eye condition.

Their study suggests that people with type 2 diabetes prescribed these drugs were more than twice as likely to develop vision problems compared with those taking the same medications who did not have diabetes.

What is Neovascular AMD?

Neovascular AMD, often simply called AMD, is described by the NHS as “a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision,” and Healthline notes that it is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over 50 in the United States.

Commenting on the findings, co‑author Andrew Mihalache, MD(C), said: “The dose-response effect we observed — where longer GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure was associated with higher risk — strengthens the argument that this association may reflect a true biological effect rather than being due to confounding factors.”

Fellow author Reut Shor, MD, added: “This was definitely surprising, especially given the growing enthusiasm for GLP-1 receptor agonists for their cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. It really highlights the need for further investigation into their ocular safety profile.”

Despite these concerns, the overall risk of vision loss from taking GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro remains very low: with the study estimating the risk of developing AMD at about 0.2 percent among the respective treatments' users.

If you are thinking about starting a GLP‑1 medication, it is essential to speak with a healthcare professional to discuss whether this treatment is suitable and safe for you.

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