Ozempic and Wegovy are all becoming well-known names in the world of weight loss. These drugs are the brand name for semaglutide, an injectable that tells your brain you’re full and slows down digestion. However, recent lawsuits are popping up due to the side effects of these prescription drugs.
You can find everything you need to know about the lawsuits and drug side effects in this post. We covered what common side effects triggered the lawsuits, so keep reading to stay informed.
How the Ozempic Lawsuit Started
First, let’s briefly cover the history of the Ozempic lawsuits. In August 2023, a Louisiana woman named Jaclyn Bjorklund became one of the first to file a gastroparesis lawsuit against Ozempic and Mounjaro.
She claimed that these companies failed to inform her about the extreme gastrointestinal issues that she faced as a result of taking these drugs. Bjorklund claimed she was hospitalized multiple times for gastroparesis. She also claims to have experienced vomiting so intense that she lost teeth.
There are now 55, possibly more, lawsuits against Ozempic for the side effects that it might cause. The company stands by its product, stating that the side effects don’t last as long and aren’t as intense as the plaintiffs in this case claim.
The judicial system will handle each case separately since this isn’t a class action lawsuit. It may take some time for every lawsuit to be resolved.
Possible Ozempic Side Effects
So, you’ll want to know all of the potential Ozempic side effects because they’re critical to these lawsuits against the drug. Not everyone experiences these symptoms, and certain risk factors can make a person more likely to have them.
According to Healthline, there are mild and severe side effects. These are some of the mild side effects someone might experience when taking Ozempic:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Gas
- Fatigue
- Acid reflux
- Nausea or vomiting
The mild side effects aren’t permanent and shouldn’t last long. More frequent occurrences should be met with more concern.
These are some of the more severe side effects that can be harmful to a person:
- Gallbladder disease or gallstones
- Kidney issues
- Higher risk of thyroid cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Gastroparesis
These more severe side effects can impact a person’s health in the long term, making them more common in Ozempic lawsuits.
What Ozempic Side Effects Are in the Lawsuit?
So, the primary side effect being brought into the Ozempic lawsuit would have to be gastroparesis, also called stomach paralysis. It can cause vomiting, stomach pain, and other health concerns.
This condition causes your stomach to empty slower and weakens the nerves and muscles inside it. It often occurs in people with diabetes, although semaglutide drugs may also cause it.
However, this side effect is one reason patients lose weight while taking the drug. It makes people feel full for much longer, so Ozempic intentionally causes it.
In the lawsuits, gastroparesis became a serious issue for the plaintiffs, who argued they weren’t warned of the severity of the medication’s symptoms. They allege that their gastroparesis became so bad it caused them harm. For example, Bjorklund claims her gastroparesis made her vomit so much she lost teeth when on the drug.
So, gastroparesis is the main side effect these plaintiffs discuss in the Ozempic lawsuits. However, it’s possible that gallbladder disease also led them to file.
Technically, gastroparesis wasn’t listed as a side effect of Ozempic drugs. Although, the symptoms that come with it, abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea, are. Ozempic’s manufacturers might use the defense that the plaintiffs had plenty of warning when it comes to possible negative symptoms.
To summarize, there could be multiple side effects brought up by plaintiffs in the lawsuits. Extreme gastroparesis is the most common one at this time.
Are There More Side Effects in the Lawsuit?
Suicidal thoughts have also been brought into question when it comes to Ozempic, although they’re not part of the lawsuit. It’s also not yet proven that suicidal thoughts and self-harm are symptoms of this drug.
So, all of the side effects in the lawsuit are related to digestive health problems.
Who’s Being Sued in the Ozempic Lawsuit?
Novo Nordisk, the Ozempic manufacturer, and Eli Lilly, the Mounjaro manufacturer, are the defendants in these lawsuits. Multiple patients are acting as plaintiffs across 55 lawsuits, at the time of writing. More may come forward in the future as the cases become more well-known.
These lawsuits aren’t against the doctors prescribing Ozempic or the pharmacists filling the orders.
There’s another lawsuit that happened recently involving Novo Nordisk and counterfeit versions of its drugs. However, that case is entirely separate from the Ozempic lawsuits focused on the drug’s side effects.
Taking Action in the Ozempic Lawsuit
You might qualify to file a lawsuit if you’ve taken Ozempic for weight loss and suffered severe health problems. You’d need to have had a diagnosis of gastroparesis, intestinal blockage, or Ileus during using the drug or up to a month after.
However, you might still have a solid case even if you experienced side effects a bit later. It all depends on the statute of limitations in your state. You’ll need to speak with a professional lawyer to see what your options are.
These lawsuits are not class action, meaning the judicial system will handle your unique case separately from everyone else’s. You may get different results than others who’ve sued because of this.
Still, if you experienced severe GI harm, you’ll want to talk with a legal professional to see if you have a case.
We’re Keeping an Eye on These Lawsuits
In short, these Ozempic lawsuits will be important for everyone to watch. The plaintiffs allege that the drug failed to fairly warn them about the possible side effects and their intensity. The most common side effect brought up in these cases is gastroparesis, which can be very harmful if it doesn’t resolve itself.
So, we’re keeping an eye on the Ozempic lawsuits. Make sure to stay tuned if you want to learn more in future updates.
Published on February 29, 2024 and Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by: Priyank Pandey