The Dramatic Ozempic Lawsuit: Accusations of Stomach Paralysis

Ozempic is in the news, and not for good reasons.

Those who have been using Ozempic have filed lawsuits after suffering cruel and critical symptoms. In most cases, the sickness affecting the plaintiffs is gastroparesis, a paralysis of the stomach.

All Ozempic lawsuits are filed against its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. These lawsuits are part of the connected cases against Novo Nordisk (Ozempic) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro), which are in hot soup regarding gallstone problems.

The Federal Mounjaro or Ozempic lawsuits have been consolidated before Judge Pratter in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Ozempic is commonly used to control blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes. However, the drug is also said to aid in weight loss. This off-label use is said to have caused a shortage of the drug for a specific period of time.

Basically developed to treat diabetes, Ozempic has gained widespread popularity for its efficiency. However, this popularity has been overshadowed by the initiation of various Ozempic lawsuits.

In April 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Proceedings consolidated all these Ozempic lawsuits under one judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a liquid that is injected to control diabetes. The common brand name is Ozempic, and the generic name is semaglutide.

It is a medication used to maintain blood sugar regulation in adults, along with a remedy for type 2 diabetes. You may use Ozempic as an additive with metformin, insulin, and other diabetes medications.

Some of the common side effects of Ozempic

The familiar side effects of Ozempic include

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Constipation

The most severe side effects of Ozempic are

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain
• Racing heart

If Ozempic has harmed you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation through an Ozempic lawsuit. The damages resulting from the dangerous side effects of Ozempic are fully compensable. These damages one can seek through an Ozempic lawsuit include

• Medical bills
• Emotional disturbance 
• Physical pain and suffering
• Inconvenience
• Future medical expenses

To be a part of the Ozempic lawsuit, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a reputable product liability lawyer.

The Ozempic lawsuit over gastroparesis

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric discharge, is a condition of the digestive system in which the ability to move food along the digestive route works slower. This can cause a wide range of serious conditions and is the basis of the Ozempic lawsuit.

The first Ozempic lawsuit, which opposed Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, was filed by a 44-year-old woman from Louisiana who took both diabetes drugs and, as a result, developed critical symptoms associated with gastroparesis. The plaintiff is stated to have suffered serious gastroparesis symptoms, such as vomiting, which is the reason for the loss of teeth.

Novo Nordisk's lack of proper labeling informing the customers, such as the plaintiff, of the risks is said to be one of the major reasons behind the Ozempic lawsuit.

Ozempic lawsuit updates

If you are looking for a holistic guide to the Ozempic lawsuit, check out the sections below. It provides you with the history and latest Ozempic news.

Ozempic warning label: FDA updates the warning label for Ozempic — October 1, 2023

The FDA, also known as the Food and Drug Administration, is now acknowledging the vast number of complaints of intestinal paralysis. However, the FDA has recommended that a warning label be added to notify customers of the risk of gastroparesis or stomach paralysis.

Ozempic's warning label already references the drug causing a delay in gastric emptying. The FDA says it will continue observing the reports of gastroparesis and will act accordingly.

Several Ozempic lawsuits have been filed internationally. There are also reports of a class action lawsuit in the making.

Weight loss medications associated with increased risks of delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal problems — November 13, 2023

According to a new study published in the Magazine of the American Medical Association, the issue of stomach paralysis in those using Ozempic or Wegovy is too serious to ignore. The manufacturers used a study of GLP-1 agonists and counted the individual users against those using continuous drugs for weight loss. The contents of GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy have extensively increased the danger of pancreatitis and other serious side effects. The Ozempic lawsuit claims that doctors may be responsible for prescribing GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.

Novo Nordisk motion to dismiss Ozempic lawsuit denied — December 8, 2023

Federal Judge James Cain, Jr., refused Novo Nordisk's motion to dismiss, defining that the plaintiffs in the Ozempic lawsuit had provided plenty of evidence to show that the manufacturer failed to inform medical practitioners about the dangers of gastroparesis.

The plaintiff of the Ozempic lawsuit, Jaclyn Bjorklund, will continue to pursue her failure-to-warn case against Novo Nordisk. At this point, patients also report multiple hostile reactions. Judge Cain ended up rejecting the motion to dismiss the Ozempic lawsuit.

A hearing is scheduled for January 25, 2024, on a motion to consolidate stomach paralysis lawsuits — January 8, 2024

The Ozempic lawsuit shows all the signs of turning into a multidistrict litigation (MDL).

On January 25, 2024, the speedy formation of an MDL is granted to the Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in Santa Barbara, California. The goal is to consolidate every Ozempic lawsuit that has been filed in Federal District Courts throughout the U.S. before Judge James Cain in the Western District of Louisiana.

Back in November, the FDA updated the Ozempic warning label after reports of adverse events of intestinal congestion. The FDA is now acknowledging a vast number of reports of blocked intestines. It has also received reports of a paralyzed stomach. This occurs when the stomach muscles are weakened, reducing the digestion and motion of food. Consequently, food settles in the stomach for far too long, leading to a range of other health issues.

Plaintiffs of the Ozempic lawsuit claim that Novo Nordisk failed to warn people about the severe medical issues related to this prescribed drug. Failure to warn claims based on insufficient warnings will center on when the Ozempic manufacturer was first made aware of the side effects.

FDA warns of counterfeit Ozempic flooding the US market — January 24, 2024

In addition to its legal nightmare, Ozempic faced a ridiculous scenario as fake versions of the drug flooded the US supply chain.

Three cases of low blood sugar after using fake Ozempic have been reported so far. Medical professionals say that this creates a complex problem where security and marketing ethics collide. As the drug’s popularity continues, it will be up to manufacturers to assist in keeping patients safe.

JPML to decide blending all federal Ozempic lawsuits for faster resolution —   January 25, 2024

JPML stands for Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. There are talks of combining the Ozempic lawsuit into multidistrict litigation (MDL). Santa Barbara, California, is considered a location for the hearing.

The defense and plaintiff in the Ozempic lawsuit debate limiting MDL to Novo Nordisk (Ozempic & Wegovy) — January 31, 2024

The lawyers of the plaintiff and the defendants of the Ozempic lawsuit debated with the JPML panel last week about whether the MDL should be limited only to drug manufacturers. Medication manufacturers of other diabetes medications used off-label for weight loss could face a particular MDL.

The plaintiff’s lawyers have appealed that Ozempic lawsuits be consolidated in the Western District of Louisiana or any Federal District in Pennsylvania. The defendants of the  Ozempic lawsuit have suggested North Carolina or California.

The Ozempic lawsuit becomes a multi-district litigation (MDL) — February 6, 2024

The MDL Panel, along with many plaintiffs, agree to consolidate all federal lawsuits involving Ozempic and similar drugs into an MDL.

While the defendants of the Ozempic lawsuit, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, requested various authorities in California or North Carolina, the panel chose Pennsylvania because many incomplete lawsuits had already been filed there. Also, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is near Novo Nordisk's New Jersey headquarters.

New studies connect Ozempic with psychiatric side effects — February 20, 2024

A study confirmed that GLP-1 receptor-agonist medications benefit multiple diabetes patients. However, these patients also face a huge chance of gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and nausea.

High doses of the drugs tend to cause many side effects, so dosage is also an essential factor regarding these issues stated in the Ozempic lawsuit.

Another study says that these drugs are also associated with adverse psychological events in patients.

Ozempic multidistrict litigation officially starts — March 1, 2024

The primary status meeting in the United Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) was planned for March 14, 2024. US District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter is appointed to preside over the multiple cases involved in the MDL.

Judge Pratter emphasizes efficiency in the first hearing of the MDL — March 29, 2024.

Judge Pratter stated that she needs to see fewer quarrels and better communication among all parties involved in the newly formed Ozempic multi-district litigation (MDL). Several lawyers of the plaintiffs of the Ozempic lawsuit predict that the MDL could sometimes house over 20,000 cases of individuals who were prescribed Ozempic or other GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1) such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Trulicity. These dangerous drugs have an impact on the digestion process, as claimed by the plaintiffs in the Ozempic lawsuit.

There is an initial body of research connecting Ozempic to adverse gastrointestinal issues. Successively, plaintiffs of the Ozempic lawsuit commented that they were not warned of any risks associated with utilizing diabetes drugs for weight loss.

Ozempic manufacturer spends $11 million— April 2, 2024

The LLN team has found out that Novo Nordisk set aside 11 million dollars to remunerate doctors' travel and dining expenditures as a marketing strategy to motivate them to prescribe Ozempic. The money was used to reimburse 12,000 medical practitioners for 457,000 meals and trips to places including Orlando, Paris, Honolulu, and London.

Some argue that this large sum of money could have been better spent on research to determine the extent of the medication’s critical side effects and long-term concerns, including stomach paralysis and similar digestive problems. This information raises questions on Novo Nordisk’s ability to compensate those involved in the Ozempic lawsuit.

Defendants in the Ozempic lawsuit officially counter plaintiffs' claims of stomach paralysis caused — April 24, 2024

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the defendants in the Ozempic lawsuit, have officially challenged the plaintiffs' claim regarding the connection between GLP-1RA medicines and stomach paralysis, aggressive marketing, and failure to change the label.

The plaintiffs of the Ozempic lawsuit claim that these medications increase the risk of gastrointestinal issues, such as gastroparesis, ileus, and bowel obstruction. Yet, the manufacturers of the drug counter that there is no essential evidence linking the medications to these conditions, as diabetes itself can be the reason for the same problems, which many plaintiffs in the Ozempic lawsuit already have.

The plaintiffs have also challenged the information that Ozempic and other similar medications have been aggressively marketed, despite not being FDA-approved. They claim that the medical community is aware of the gastrointestinal effects associated with these medications and, consequently, could have warned their customers.

The Rise in Ozempic Lawsuits — May 1, 2024

More lawsuits connected to the nationwide MDL accuse Ozempic use of causing stomach paralysis, bowel obstructions, and ileus. By May 1st, the MDL had 87 claims related to severe digestive illnesses caused by this medication. 

Court sets Science Day, parties report progress on Plaintiff Fact Sheet creation — May 21, 2024

June 14th is scheduled as "Science Day," when both sides in the Ozempic lawsuit will be presented with a preview of the medical problems. This court date should be non-opposed. There are reports that there are roughly 40,000 Ozempic cases in this MDL alleging serious and permanent wounds from the drug.

Similar sides have also been working on initiating an agreed-upon Plaintiff Fact Sheet (PFS) that includes the facts all plaintiffs in this MDL will want to provide. A third-party company, Rubris, will oversee the processing of these PFSs and other electronic submissions.

MDL Judge's death halts Ozempic multidistrict litigation, 101 lawsuits currently pending — June 6, 2024

Judge Gene E.K. Pratter, the federal judge allotted to the Ozempic MDL, passed away at the age of 75. The MDL panel must now vet and delegate a new judge to maintain the litigation. Undoubtedly, the new judge will want some time to get updated on the Ozempic lawsuit.

Twelve new complaints were assigned to the federal MDL in May.

A total of 106 Ozempic lawsuits were filed in MDL after five new cases in the last month — July 1, 2024.

This latest case, among the many Ozempic lawsuits, involves a woman from Indiana who started taking Ozempic in March 2022 as per the advice of her medical practitioner. About one year later, on July 1, 2023, the last day before the statute of limitations, she visited the emergency room. Her symptoms included serious gastroparesis, critical constipation, rectal bleeding, and vomiting.

Central to her claim is the assertion that the Ozempic product information failed to adequately communicate the full spectrum of potential risks to either her or her healthcare provider. Consequently, she contends that her quality of life has been significantly compromised due to the use of Ozempic.

Could Ozempic be the reason for the loss of eyesight? A new study raises concerns— July 12, 2024

SEMAGLUTIDE vs. NAION

A recent study, which included 1687 patients and was published in JAMA Ophthalmology, shows that individuals using Ozempic are at an increased risk for developing NAION (non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy). NAION generally results in optic nerve loss of eyesight. It is the second-leading reason for optic nerve blindness after glaucoma. Meanwhile, NAION cases due to Ozempic usage are extremely rare.

How an Ozempic Lawyer Can Help

Those who ended up with gastroparesis after using Ozempic should be concerned about hiring a product liability lawyer. Hiring a legal professional is important if you are considering filing an Ozempic lawsuit, since the knowledge of your rights and the legal procedures can make a huge difference.

An experienced product liability lawyer will defend your rights, be it the Ozempic lawsuit or any other lawsuit, and help in negotiating a settlement, collecting evidence, and analyzing your damages.