New Zealand healthcare professionals are being encouraged to report any suspected acute, persistent vision loss associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as dulaglutide, liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Medsafe’s monitoring is the result of two recent reports of patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists and developing sudden vision loss. The first report concerned a female patient who experienced flashing and partial loss of vision in her left eye, diagnosed as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) within weeks of starting semaglutide (Wegovy). A second female was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion, also within weeks of starting semaglutide.
Medsafe is not advising patients to stop using the medicine at this point and added that the monitoring communication does not mean that the medicine causes an adverse event.
Reports should be made via the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring. Monitoring will close on 26 July 2026.
