By One of the newest drugs for weight management is Ozempic, which is the brand name for the drug Semaglutide. It has recently gained attention as an effective anti-obesity drug. However, Ozempic has been making headlines for potentially dangerous side effects including gastroparesis, a weakening of the stomach that may lead to vomiting, stomach pain and gallbladder disease. Some drug users were aware of these side effects and have started to take legal actions. This blog post is about Ozempic and its lawsuit.
Introduction to Ozempic
Earlier, Ozempic was not designed to be an anti-obesity drug. Instead, when Semaglutide was developed for diabetes treatment. In 2017, Ozempic was made available to the general public after receiving FDA approval for use as a drug to manage the effects of diabetes.
However, researchers at the University of Leeds found that Ozempic could also be utilized to treat obesity less than a year after the Ozempic was released in 2017. Wegovy was approved by the FDA a few years later, in 2021, for long-term weight management in adults who have at least one additional weight-related disorder.
The drug soon gained popularity in the United States and around the world as the solution for weight-management. But in less than a year, over 10,000 adverse event reports for Semaglutide variants had already been received by the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
For another two years, Semaglutide continued as a popular weight-management option regardless of a large quantity of adverse event reports. Because of its enormous popularity, the FDA listed it as a drug shortage in 2023.
Ozempic Lawsuit
According to Ozempic lawsuits, the drug can cause ileus, severe gastroparesis, and intestinal blockage. In addition, lawyers are pursuing cases involving Ozempic vision loss. Plaintiffs claim that they were not given proper information about these risks. On August 2, 2023, the first Ozempic lawsuit was filed. As of now, no settlements have taken place.
Allegations in Ozempic Lawsuit
Plaintiffs of Ozempic lawsuits have claimed that the drug causes a potentially fatal illness called gastroparesis. There is a case report in the National Library of Medicine database which links this drug to gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a chronic condition which causes the muscles and nerves in the stomach wall to deteriorate significantly.
As a result, the stomach’s ability to move food from the stomach into the small intestine is weakened. Intestinal obstructions or blockages are the complications of gastroparesis, which frequently causes nausea and diarrhea. Moreover, gastroparesis cannot be cured. This means that a lifetime of medical interventions may be required for anyone who develops this condition.
Other Alleged Side Effects of Ozempic in Ozempic Lawsuit
Lawsuits are currently filed over Ozempic side effects which affect the muscles that line the stomach. Some possible side effects may cause further legal action, but plaintiffs claim Novo Nordisk downplayed or concealed these side effects.
Possible Connection to Suicidal Ideation
Additionally, data indicating a possible connection between semaglutide and suicidal ideation is currently being reviewed by the European Medicines Agency. The agency received the information that at least 150 reports of people experiencing suicidal thoughts while taking Ozempic.
Wegovy is required to carry a warning about suicidal behavior in the United States. However, in the United States, this warning is required for all long-term weight loss medications. Semaglutide may be associated with a higher risk than other weight-management drugs. However, this accusation is still not the basis of any Ozempic lawsuits.
Association with Gallbladder Disease
Studies that were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a link between the usage of drugs such as Rybelsus, Ozempic, and Wegovy and a higher risk of gallbladder disease. All of these medications function as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) hormones. The association between gallbladder diseases and these GLP-1 RAs was confirmed in a 2022 review of 76 studies.
Lawsuits against Novo Nordisk or the manufacturers of Wegovy or Rybelsus have not been filed yet. However, patients who used these drugs and then diagnosed with gallbladder disease may file in the future.
Defense of Novo Nordisk’s against Ozempic Lawsuits
Public statements from Novo Nordisk demonstrate the safety of all of its drugs, including the Semaglutide variants. The company has admitted that using its medicine may cause gastrointestinal side effects, but it has minimized the severity of these side effects.
Novo Nordisk claims that these side effects are mild to moderate and transient. Furthermore, the manufacturer emphasizes that the drug’s warning label lists these effects. This probably represents Novo Nordisk’s primary defense against Ozempic lawsuits. It is likely that the company would claim before the users began taking the drug, they were warned of potential side effects.
Eligibility to File an Ozempic Lawsuit
So far, every Ozempic lawsuit has been filed by an individual who suffered gastrointestinal issues after using the drug. In general, lawyers will only take on clients who can show proof of experienced diarrhea or vomiting for at least a month or more. That represents a comparatively small percentage of the people who used the drug.
If the only harm that Ozempic has suffered you harm is suicidal ideation, you can consult a lawyer. However, few lawyers are likely to accept you as a plaintiff unless additional information linking Semaglutide to suicidal thoughts becomes available. After the European Medicines Agency finishes analyzing the data about such a connection, this type of lawsuit may become viable.
Future of Ozempic Lawsuits
An MDL has been created from the combined claims against Ozempic. Though there were 55 lawsuits at the time of the MDL order, the number will likely continue to rise. However, additional information regarding potential connections between semaglutide and gastroparesis will become available the longer it takes to complete the cases. This link has been the subject of current research, and in the past few months, several reports have been released.
At least one complaint, brought by Jaclyn Bjorklund claims that Novo Nordisk was aware of the association between the product and gastroparesis. Attorneys representing Bjorklund in subsequent Ozempic lawsuits will probably follow suit and make similar claims if they are able to prove the claim in court.