In recent months the popular Type II diabetes drug, Ozempic, and its weight-loss alternative, Wegovy, have come under increasing scrutiny due to product liability lawsuits claiming the drugs may be connected to reports of patients suffering severe medical conditions like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, denies that it is liable for the side effects of its glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist medications.
Nevertheless, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co., the producers of Mounjara, have found themselves at the center of immense controversy and litigation due to their alleged failure to disclose the potential illnesses Ozempic and Wegovy can cause.
Wegovy and Ozempic Stomach Paralysis Controversy and Litigation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cited growing reports that the medications it approved are insufficiently labeled and irresponsibly sold.
When considered alongside mounting investigative reporting from CNN about the life-altering effects Ozempic and Wegovy have had on long-time users, these developments suggest a looming transformation of the legal and business landscape of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs.
Gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis, and cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) can drastically alter your day-to-day life. Major drug manufacturers should be held to account for their failure to inform you of the risks incurred from taking their medications when consumers become ill this way.
Potential Semaglutide Ozempic Risk in Surgery
Recent findings have raised concerns regarding individuals using Ozempic experiencing regurgitation during surgery while under anesthesia.
Despite adhering to fasting guidelines, some Ozempic users have unexpectedly regurgitated during anesthesia, prompting a cautionary alert from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. This advisory recommends avoiding Ozempic and similar medications on the day of elective surgery and discontinuing them at least 7 days prior to the procedure.
What triggers this phenomenon? It seems that delayed stomach emptying and reduced gastrointestinal tract mobility, referred to as ileus, may contribute to these issues. Recognizing these concerns, the FDA has updated the labels of Ozempic and related drugs to include warnings about ileus.
Notably, during the initial months of Ozempic use, individuals may experience delays in stomach emptying, increasing the risk of food remaining in the stomach on the day of surgery, even after fasting.
These developments emphasize the importance of staying informed about potential complications associated with Ozempic. If you or a loved one has encountered stomach-related side effects, it is advisable to seek guidance from personal injury lawyers who concentrate on Ozempic lawsuits.
Experienced Ozempic stomach paralysis lawyers are prepared to offer free consultations to assess your damages and determine your eligibility.
If you or someone you know has been prescribed Wegovy or Ozempic and subsequently developed the symptoms of gastroparesis or cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), you may be entitled to compensation in a court of law through a Wegovy or Ozempic stomach paralysis lawsuit.
Ozempic and Wegovy Use Potentially Connected to Stomach Paralysis
One of the most distressing reported side effects of semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) is gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). The condition occurs when the muscles lining the stomach slow down, halting the natural process of stomach emptying. It can even result in the accumulation in the stomach of undigested food consumed hours or, in more serious cases, days before.
How Can Ozempic and Wegovy Cause Gastroparesis?
Ozempic and Wegovy are members of a drug class known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 RA medications mimic the effects of the naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1, produced in the lower intestine. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) serves a critical role in several bodily functions, including:
- Triggering the release of insulin in the pancreas
- Increasing one’s sense of satiety
- Slowing stomach emptying
- Blocking glucagon secretion
GLP-1 RA medications, like Ozempic, were originally produced to assist in blood sugar regulation in Type II diabetics. However, their equally significant effects on the digestive system have also made them popular weight-loss drugs. In order to meet the mounting demand for GLP-1 RA weight management medications, Novo Nordisk produced Wegovy, which received FDA approval in 2021.
Reports and Research Suggest that Semaglutide Linked to Gastroparesis
In spite of the recent popularity of Semaglutide, recent reporting suggests that there is a close connection between Ozempic and Wegovy and the severe medical condition, gastroparesis. In a July 2023 exposé, CNN documented the lives of long-term users of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 RA drugs.
After taking Ozempic, Joanie Knight, 37, told CNN that she developed such a dire case of gastroparesis that she had to get gastric bypass surgery. Knight was not alone. Emily Wright, a 38-year-old Torontan, lamented the fact that the severity of her stomach paralysis caused her to take time off from work as a schoolteacher.
At the same time that Novo Nordisk was developing Wegovy and seeking FDA approval for Ozempic, professor Michael Camilleri, M.D., was conducting research into the potential connections between GLP-1 RA drugs and delayed stomach emptying. In a research study composed of 40 participants, he discovered that the 19 subjects who were randomly assigned liraglutide displayed noticeably lower rates of stomach emptying than those who took a placebo.
Read more about the Ozempic Gallstone Lawsuit or Speak to an Ozempic Gallstone Lawyer
Gastroparesis Side Effects May Be Related to Ozempic and Wegovy
Dr. Linda Nguyen, a gastroparesis specialist at Stanford University, told CNN that delayed gastric emptying “definitely does happen” from GLP-1 RA weight loss drugs. Moreover, the FDA has recognized an uptick in the number of entries on its adverse event reporting system connecting Semaglutide to severe gastrointestinal problems.
As Knight and Wright’s harrowing stories prove, gastroparesis is no laughing matter and can have life-altering consequences for those suffering from it. To make matters worse, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, does not explicitly disclose that its GLP-1 RA drugs alone can heighten a user’s risk of developing stomach paralysis.
Common Gastroparesis Symptoms
If you or someone you know has developed the following symptoms of gastroparesis after taking Ozempic, you may be eligible for compensation for lost time, wages, and peace of mind:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Satiety (fullness)
- Acid reflux
- Lack of appetite
- Malnutrition
Do GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Like Ozempic and Wegovy Cause Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)?
On top of dealing with a severe case of gastroparesis, Emily Wright revealed that she was struggling with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) after taking Ozempic, paralleling the undiagnosed but frequent bouts of vomiting Brenda Allen, 38, developed following her use of Wegovy. What is noteworthy about Allen’s account is that she still suffers from these symptoms despite discontinuing use.
Novo Nordisk advertises that users of Wegovy and Ozempic are at a heightened risk of various gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and vomiting. It does not, however, state that its drugs are capable of causing the debilitating condition cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).
Common Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Symptoms
The symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome associated with the use of Semaglutide vary from case to case, but they generally manifest as:
- Intense and recurrent episodes of vomiting
- Episodes ranging from 5 to 10 minutes over the course of hours or days
- Severe abdominal pain
- Overpowering nausea
- Tiredness
- Headaches
The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is to consult with a physician to consider discontinuing use of Wegovy or Ozempic. After safeguarding your health, you should then protect your rights.
Large pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk may have misled the public about their products, and in the process have caused inestimable harm. Rather than spend another hour enduring the misery caused by Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight loss drugs, consider seeking assistance from an experienced Ozempic attorney today.
Ozempic and Wegovy Product Liability Lawsuit Confronts Drug Manufacturers
One of the most common questions about Ozempic and Wegovy is whether or not their producer, Novo Nordisk, is liable in a court of law. After all, how can a major pharmaceutical company inflict such extensive physical and emotional distress without being held responsible?
Jaclyn Bjorklund, a 44-year-old Louisianan, intends to see that Novo Nordisk is held accountable. Bjorklund filed a product liability lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and the Tirezpatide (Mounjara) manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Co., in August 2023 alleging that both companies failed to warn users of the health complications and risks associated with their medications.
After taking both GLP-1 RA drugs, she began to display the telltale signs of CVS and even lost teeth from excessive vomiting.
Since the case is one of the first of its kind and in such an early phase, it is uncertain how the courts will respond to her claims. Nevertheless, the evidence that finds Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co. at fault grows daily, and it is always best to seek legal counsel as soon as you receive an injury or a diagnosis.
Each state has specific statutes of limitation that establish the period in which your claims are eligible for compensation in a court of law. The Florida statute of limitations for product liability cases was recently shortened from 4 to 2 years, which means that it is of paramount importance to get a free consultation from a local Ozempic attorney at the earliest possible date.
Product Liability Attorneys Can Help You Assess Damages in Ozempic and Wegovy Lawsuits
Filing a product liability lawsuit against a major drug manufacturer like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co. can be complex and demanding. After suffering injuries like gastroparesis or CVS because of products like Ozempic and Wegovy, adding an extensive legal challenge to your life may seem like a daunting prospect.
That is why experienced Ozempic attorneys near you are on standby to offer free consultations and assessments to help you understand the damages you sustained and the potential compensation you may be entitled to receive.
When it comes to your health and your rights, the time to act is now. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co. are busily preparing themselves for future product liability lawsuits with the finest legal teams. You should be, too.