A growing number of patients in the United States are taking legal action against Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, citing severe side effects that were allegedly not adequately disclosed. This legal battle also involves Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, a diabetes medication used similarly to Ozempic and Wegovy for off-label weight loss treatment.
## The Core of the Lawsuits: Gastroparesis and Other Serious Side Effects
The majority of plaintiffs report suffering from gastroparesis, a medical condition that results in the paralysis of the stomach. This serious, potentially life-threatening condition leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, severe pain, and the dangerous accumulation of food in the gut. In these lawsuits, Novo Nordisk is being accused of inadequately warning about the risk of gastroparesis on the drugs’ packaging.
## Disturbing Patient Experiences
In one harrowing case, a woman diagnosed with gastroparesis after using Ozempic and Mounjaro reported such severe vomiting that it resulted in the loss of her teeth. Another woman suffered a life-threatening bowel injury linked to Ozempic use, leading to a nine-hour surgery and a prognosis of lifelong pain and inability to have solid bowel movements.
Another lawsuit involves a Wegovy user who was hospitalized with severe gastroparesis, experiencing extreme symptoms like an inability to have a bowel movement for an entire week.
## Legal Proceedings and the Scope of the Issue
Currently, more than 40 cases have been filed in federal courts across America, with attorneys reviewing thousands more. It is anticipated that these cases will soon be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), centralizing them before a single judge for streamlined proceedings. One law firm alone represents around 100 clients with gastroparesis diagnoses linked to these drugs and is investigating an additional 1,000 cases.
## Off-Label Prescriptions and FDA Approvals
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro have received FDA approval for treating type 2 diabetes. However, they have also been widely prescribed off-label for weight loss to millions of Americans. This off-label use has brought the drugs into the spotlight, now marred by these emerging legal challenges and growing concerns over their safety.