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Risk of ophthalmic adverse drug reactions in patients prescribed glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA adverse event reporting system database.

Endocrine · 2025

Last updated 2026-05-28

A study using FDA data found 5,003 reports of eye-related side effects linked to GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide, including conditions like retinopathy and vision problems. The side effects were most likely to appear early after starting the medication, and the drugs themselves were the main cause rather than other medications taken at the same time.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalEndocrine, 2025
Citations18
Relative citation ratio7.56
Molecules
Conditions studied Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and ophthalmic adverse drug reactions (OADRs) using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). METHODS: This retrospective pharmacovigilance study analyzed post-marketing FAERS data from 2018 to 2023 to identify GLP-1 RA-related OADRs. This study employed the Weibull model for time-to-onset (TTO) analysis, Bayesian Information Component analysis for disproportionality comparing GLP-1 RAs with other drugs, and the Ω shrinkage method for co-medication analysis. RESULTS: FAERS reported 5003 OADRs associated with GLP-1 RAs, including retinopathy and visual impairment. Disproportionality analysis identified significant signals for semaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide, suggesting potential associations with OADRs. Co-medication analysis indicated that OADRs primarily resulted from GLP-1 RA use. TTO analysis categorized most OADRs as early failures, emphasizing the need for early monitoring. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of ophthalmic surveillance in patients using GLP-1 RAs, particularly semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide. Enhanced monitoring and patient education are essential for timely detection and management of potential OADRs. Regulatory agencies should consider updating drug labels to include comprehensive warnings about OADRs associated with GLP-1 RA therapies.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 39578328 ↗