The Dangers of Ozempic

It’s hard to overstate the impact that drugs like Ozempic are having on society. Celebrities admit to using it to shed pounds even as debates over its safety rage on. The class of drugs, GLP-1 agonists, or glucagon-like peptide 1, are well-known by their brand names, which, in addition to Ozempic, include Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, and Saxenda. Despite its wonder-drug reputation, concerns about the safety of this class of medications are mounting. Now, lawsuits are also highlighting potential dangers, which include gallbladder disease and gastroparesis. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, our Maryland injury attorneys are committed to providing you with crucial information about your legal options if Ozempic or any other related drug has harmed your drug.

Background on current lawsuits

As Oprah Winfrey, Amy Schumer, and Charles Barkley have been singing the praises of weight loss drugs, others who’ve tried them are experiencing severe health consequences from a medication that they believed would help them.

Paulsen Bronston, who took Ozempic to manage his diabetes, suffered serious side effects like nausea and vomiting until he ended up in so much pain that he went to the hospital. At that point, he said his eyes were yellow, and ultimately, he ended up having his gallbladder removed. Bronston’s experience was far from isolated. Now, he and dozens of others have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of these popular drugs. The lawsuits are against Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, and Eli Lilly, which produces Mounjaro and Trulicity.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Semaglutide was originally developed as a Type 2 diabetes therapy, approved by the FDA in 2017 to control the effects of diabetes. However, soon after the public release of the drug, researchers found semaglutide could also treat obesity. The FDA approved Wegovy for weight management in adults in 2021.

The drug quickly became incredibly popular for weight management. In fact, the medication became so in demand that the FDA added it to its drug shortages list in 2023.

Why are people filing Ozempic lawsuits?

Plaintiffs in Ozempic lawsuits are alleging the drug causes a condition called gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis. Gastroparesis is a medical condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach. Normally, strong muscular contractions move food through your digestive tract. However, in gastroparesis, these contractions are weakened or absent, which can interfere with normal digestion. Gastroparesis can lead to intestinal blockages and obstructions, and also causes nausea and diarrhea. Plaintiffs allege Novo Nordisk played down these side effects.

One study also shows a link between the use of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy with an increased risk of gallbladder disease. Patients are also reporting that taking the medication can lead to ileus, which is a condition where the intestines temporarily stop functioning. The FDA listed this as a possible side effect of Ozempic in October. Health.com reports:

Though it’s still too early to say that Ozempic is definitively causing ileus, reports of this side effect join the more than 14,000 other cases of Ozempic side effects reported since 2018—nearly 9,000 of which have been linked to various gastrointestinal issues, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, and abdominal dissension.

Additionally, the European Medicines Agency is evaluating this class of drugs for possible increases in suicidal ideation. Hundreds of reports about the increase in thoughts of self-harm have led to that investigation and a statement from the FDA. The reports don’t state that they have fully established the link, but it is something these agencies say they are monitoring.

What are the other side effects of Ozempic?

Ozempic has a long list of side effects, some more serious than others. Other reported side effects of Ozempic include:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Hypoglycemia
• Flatulence
• Headaches
• Constipation

What damages are available in an Ozempic lawsuit?

Damages in a lawsuit depend on the harm and losses you have suffered. This could include compensatory damages for medical bills and pain and suffering. For example, a patient who needed surgery, like gallbladder removal, could seek compensation for those related medical bills and any lost income they experienced because of the side effects of these drugs.

If you believe you have a claim against Ozempic, it’s important to call a Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss the statute of limitations.

Contact Plaxen Adler Muncy now

If you or a loved one have experienced adverse effects or injuries due to the use of Ozempic (semaglutide), you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced team of Ozempic injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy is here to help you understand your legal rights and pursue justice. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation. Our team will review your case, answer your questions, and provide personalized legal guidance tailored to your specific situation. Call or submit our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation at one of our offices across Maryland today.