Ozempic Stomach Paralysis Lawsuit

Popular Medication Ozempic Faces Lawsuits Over Failing To Warn Users About Risk of Gastroparesis

Ozempic, a popular diabetic and weight loss medication, has been one of the most popular topics in America over the last few years. It’s practically a celebrity itself. Celebrities and friends are flaunting their weight loss from the ‘miracle’ drug while silently suffering its side effects. The generic form of Ozempic, semaglutide, has been linked to serious problems caused by the same mechanisms that help people lose weight. The drug has caused severe constipation, cyclical vomiting, gallstones, and most serious of all, stomach paralysis also known as gastroparesis.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic, known generically as semaglutide, is a widely prescribed medication for Type 2 diabetes that was created to help control blood sugar levels. Since then, Ozempic has been praised for its effectiveness and the convenience of its once-weekly injection.

The drug is manufactured by Novo Nordisk which also makes a similar higher-dose version of semaglutide called Wegovy which is becoming very popular itself.

However, its massive rise in popularity is not just (or at all) about its ability to control diabetes; Ozempic’s near “miracle” ability to help people lose weight has created a popularity that few medications have seen since the polio vaccine.

But it’s not all good. Recent reports and studies have raised concerns about its potential side effects, particularly its link to stomach paralysis, a condition referred to as gastroparesis.

Side Effects of Ozempic and Its Link to Stomach Paralysis

As we mentioned, Ozempic (semaglutide) is an important treatment for type 2 diabetes, and more recently, has been prescribed off-label for weight management. And like all medications, Ozempic can have side effects ranging from mild to very serious. But topping the side effect list is gastroparesis, a serious condition that warrants serious attention.

Before delving into gastroparesis, it’s helpful to outline some of the more common side effects associated with Ozempic since they ultimately relate to the stomach paralysis problem.

The more common side effects of Ozempic include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Reduced appetite

These side effects are common in a lot of medications, but as you may notice, there is a strong focus on stomach and gastrointestinal issues.

Serious Side Effects of Ozempic

In addition to the more common side effects, Ozempic can cause much more serious side effects like:

• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can be severe and life-threatening.
• Kidney problems: Including kidney failure, which can occur due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea caused by Ozempic.
• Diabetic retinopathy complications: Worsening of diabetic eye disease in people with a history of it.
• Thyroid C-cell tumors: Animal studies have shown a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, leading to a warning about the potential risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma in humans, although the direct relevance to humans is still being evaluated.
• Gastroparesis: Also called stomach paralysis, this condition causes a significant reduction in the stomach’s ability to empty its contents.

Gastroparesis and Ozempic

Ozempic-caused stomach paralysis is a condition that causes a significant reduction in the stomach’s ability to empty its contents due to the debilitation of normal spontaneous movement of the muscles in the stomach.

When this occurs, the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine, leading to a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain.

The connection between Ozempic and gastroparesis is particularly noteworthy because Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist, more commonly known as a GLP-1 RA or GLP-1 receptor agonist. This class of drugs mimics the body’s production of insulin when blood sugar levels start to rise after someone eats. The extra insulin helps lower blood sugar levels.

The problem is that GLP-1 receptor agonists also slow the emptying of the stomach as part of its mechanism of action. This effect is beneficial for diabetes management because it can lead to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite while helping your body with insulin production. However, in some people, this slowing of gastric emptying may lead to symptoms of gastroparesis.

Ozempic-caused stomach paralysis is currently under scrutiny by medical professionals as the number of reported cases rises, causing patients to seek legal help in filing a lawsuit against Ozempic and Novo Nordisk for producing a defective medication and failing to warn patients about it.

Patients on Ozempic who are experiencing persistent severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms suggestive of delayed gastric emptying should seek medical attention.

Is There An Ozempic Class Action Lawsuit?

Yes. Well, kind of. The Ozempic lawsuits have been consolidated like a class action, but technically they have been combined into multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Class action lawsuits combine similar individual lawsuits into one for efficiency, while MDLs group them to streamline the initial parts of the litigation for efficiency before the actual trials begin when they will return to individual courts. However, it should be noted that class action is often used to describe MDLs in many publications.

What Is Happening With The Ozempic MDL?

As of February 2, 2024, all lawsuits concerning Ozempic and similar medications involving gastroparesis claims have been consolidated into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) under Judge Gene E. K. Pratter in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This means that most of the lawsuits filed against Novo Nordisk and other manufacturers of similar drugs, like Mounjaro and Trulicity, have been consolidated into one court with one judge to speed up the initial pretrial concerns and discovery, like is the science strong enough and what are the issues at hand.

The idea is that MDLs streamline the legal process by pooling resources and avoiding contradictory rulings across different courts. However, each claim will still be evaluated and settled individually.

4,000 potential cases are estimated to join the MDL and we expect to see many more Ozempic stomach paralysis personal injury lawsuits in the coming months.

You can stay up to date on the Ozempic MDL by following Lawsuit Legal News.

Did Novo Nordisk Know That Ozempic Could Cause Stomach Paralysis?

The FDA approved Ozempic in 2017 but Novo Nordisk failed to list gastroparesis on its warning label or prescription information. The manufacturers should have warned individuals that taking a GLP-1 drug creates a substantially higher risk of bowel obstruction, gastroparesis, undigested food, and acute gallbladder disease.

All of the initial cases being filed are based on this legal theory, known as failure to warn

The plaintiffs in the Ozempic lawsuits claim that the makers of Ozempic knew, or should have known, that their drug could cause these issues but failed to warn the public.

To prove this, the plaintiffs will need to provide scientific evidence linking Ozempic to gastroparesis and other conditions that have developed.

This is a key component of these lawsuits.

The Rise in Popularity of Ozempic

The rise in popularity of Ozempic has been tremendous in recent years. This surge in interest can be attributed to its weight loss benefits, celebrity endorsements, and a buzz that has touched morning talk shows, social media, and office water coolers.

One of the most talked-about aspects of Ozempic is its weight loss benefits.

Once patients and healthcare providers noticed its potential to aid in weight reduction, Ozempic began flying off the shelves.

Semaglutide suppresses your appetite which helps to reduce calorie intake and cause weight loss.

The popularity of Ozempic for its weight loss benefits has been fueled by aggressive marketing campaigns and significant media attention. Social media platforms and various news outlets have featured stories of dramatic transformations, attracting interest from people all over the United States and the world.

This coverage has created a buzz that has led to a serious increase in demand. But no buzz has done for Ozempic what celebrities have.

Some celebrities have publicly discussed their weight loss but haven’t mentioned Ozempic specifically. Others have denied using Ozempic. And some have admitted to its use. It’s hard not to notice when a celebrity loses 40 pounds in a few months.

Dozens of household names have admitted using semaglutide, including Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, Tracy Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and many others.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Osbourne said she took Ozempic for about a year. However, she focused her interview on warning people about the addictive nature and harmful side effects of the drug that she experienced.

Amy Schumer said she had to stop taking Ozempic when it made her sick and she couldn’t play with her son.

In addition to the celebrities who have endorsed Ozempic (like Tracy Morgan who said he would never let the drug go), some have spoken out against it.

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner re-shared a post on Twitter of Ozempic ads at a New York subway station with the caption, “The Ozempic ads plastered across the Times Square subway station can f*** all the way off. WTF”.

Raven-Symoné discussed the importance of making sure there is enough of the medication for people who actually need it. This is important because the drug has been selling so well that the makers of Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, can’t keep up with production leading to a major supply shortage that has left many diabetic Americans empty-handed.

It’s crucial to remember that celebrities’ experiences are not representative of the everyday American. Their access to resources, healthcare, and support systems differ significantly from the general population and lead to unrealistic expectations.

What Can I Do If I Was Harmed By Ozempic?

Individuals who have developed stomach paralysis potentially linked to Ozempic may have legal recourse through a product liability claim. This type of claim can hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for failing to adequately warn users about the side effects of their medications, or for manufacturing defects or negligence.

Product liability claims against pharmaceutical companies can be complex, requiring intense investigation, expert testimony, and a deep understanding of both medical and legal issues.

Seeking experienced legal representation is crucial in getting the compensation you deserve if you are facing complications caused by Ozempic.

Why You Should Choose Altman & Altman

Altman & Altman Law has been a pillar in our community, leading with professionalism and compassion. Our focus is to seek justice for our clients as they are facing legal challenges and personal challenges, in most cases, for the first time in their lives.

Altman & Altman has established a respected presence with clients and in the legal community due to our passion for advocacy, client-focused approach, and success in various legal areas.

We specialize in personal injury and pharmaceutical lawsuits and have successfully represented clients in cases involving defective drugs, defective medical devices, and medical malpractice. Our pharmaceutical litigation has found us representing clients in a wide range of cases involving medication side effects, prescription errors, and failure to warn claims.

Our experienced lawyers possess the comprehensive expertise and resources needed to handle a case like the Ozempic Stomach Paralysis Lawsuit.

Contact Altman and Altman for a Free Case Evaluation

If you, or someone you know, are using Ozempic and have experienced symptoms of stomach paralysis, it is essential that you consult with the legal team at Altman & Altman.

We are ready to provide you with the support and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of pharmaceutical lawsuits.

For more information or to discuss a potential case, reach out to Altman & Altman for a professional and compassionate consultation.

Contact us today by calling 1-800-481-6199 or by using our online contact form.