Our attorneys are investigating Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy lawsuits for individuals who experienced severe complications while using these medications for weight loss. These medications have reportedly been linked to severe injuries including gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and other gastrointestinal problems.
Background on These Medications
Ozempic,® developed by Novo Nordisk A/S, was initially approved for Type 2 diabetes in 2017. Subsequently, doctors began to prescribe it for weight loss after appetite suppression emerged as a side effect.
In response to this development, Novo Nordisk developed Wegovy®, a higher-dose version of Ozempic, which received FDA approval for chronic obesity in June 2021.
These medications have seen increasing use for weight management, leading to a national shortage affecting many people with diabetes who rely on these medications.
These medications work by mimicking natural hormones that regulate blood sugar and appetite. Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, which is administered through weekly injections and acts similarly to GLP-1, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, received FDA approval for Type 2 diabetes treatment in May 2022. It uniquely targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors, which clinical studies suggest may provide enhanced blood sugar control.
While clinical trials demonstrated significant weight reduction benefits, researchers continue to study these medications’ long-term effects.
Reported Medical Complications
According to FDA adverse event reporting data and medical literature, these medications may be associated with severe gastrointestinal injuries, including stomach paralysis or Gastroparesis. This condition affects the stomach’s nerves and muscles, potentially restricting food movement through the digestive system. In severe cases, this can lead to extended hospitalization and requiring medical intervention.
Gastroparesis may lead to several problems, such as severe vomiting and nausea, as well as complications like dehydration, malnutrition, and bowel obstructions. According to medical reports, in some cases, patients have required a procedure to suction stomach contents. The FDA has also received reports of intestinal obstruction.
Medical literature and news sources have reported a spike in emergency room visits for individuals experiencing complications, including chronic and severe vomiting and nausea.
Medical organizations have issued specific guidance regarding these medications. For example, the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended that doctors advise patients taking these medications to stop at least a week before any surgical procedure. This recommendation followed several reports of patients regurgitating or vomiting while under anesthesia, which can lead to post-surgery pneumonia and other complications.
Studies have also identified additional complications include gallbladder conditions such as acute cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (gallstones). Cholecystitis, which occurs when bile becomes trapped in the gallbladder, may require medical intervention. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical removal of the gallbladder may be necessary. Research indicates that gallstones may cause bile duct blockages, which often require surgery.
Legal Claims Related to These Medications
As of January 2025, over 1,300 federal lawsuits have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL). The legal claims include strict liability failure to warn and design defect, negligent failure to warn, negligent design, breach of express and implied warranties, alleged misrepresentations, concealment of material facts, and various state consumer protection claims.
These cases contend that manufacturers failed to adequately warn about known or reasonably knowable risks, did not exercise reasonable care in researching and testing their products, and withheld or underreported data on the frequency of serious complications.
The named parties include the manufacturers and distributors: Novo Nordisk A/S, a Danish pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk USA, its U.S. subsidiary, and Eli Lilly and Company.
Discuss Your Legal Options
If you experienced complications after being prescribed these medications for weight loss and suffered gastroparesis, cholecystitis, or cholelithiasis, contact us for a confidential case and medical record review. Our firm handles these cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless we obtain compensation for you.
Contact our office to discuss your potential Ozempic or GLP-1 drug claim.
Note: Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen.