Ozempic Lawsuit
Patients are filing Ozempic lawsuits claiming manufacturer Novo Nordisk failed to properly warn patients of the risk of gastroparesis, severe vomiting and ileus. Gastroparesis causes weaker and slower stomach muscle contractions, leaving food sitting in the stomach longer.
Latest Ozempic Lawsuit Updates
In February 2024, a federal panel consolidated at least 55 Ozempic and related lawsuits into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to Ozempic, the lawsuits include other drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class.
As of November 2024, there were 1,221 cases pending in the MDL. An attorney with Morgan & Morgan suggested the total number of cases may reach as many as 10,000.
Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk is facing multiple lawsuits alleging patients developed serious side effects such as gastroparesis, severe vomiting during, ileus and intestinal blockages after taking the drug. Litigation is currently in early stages, and so far these cases have not been consolidated into multidistrict litigation.
- July 2024: Lawyers are investigating Ozempic vision loss and blindness lawsuits after a 2024 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology reported that patients who took semaglutide-containing drugs had an increased risk of developing nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), an incurable eye condition that causes vision loss and blindness.
- May 2024: U.S. District Judge Gene E. K. Pratter, the judge presiding over the MDL, passed away unexpectedly on May 17. Legal delays were expected as the case would be reassigned.
- February 2024: The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation combines 55 lawsuits claiming injuries from GLP-1 RAS class diabetes and weight-loss drugs into an MDL. The drugs named in lawsuits include Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus along with Eli Lilly's Trulicity and Mounjaro.
- November 2023: Plaintiffs filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in Canada alleging Novo Nordisk failed to adequately warn prospective patients about gastroparesis linked to Ozempic.
- September 2023: FDA added ileus and intestinal blockage/obstruction to Ozempic’s prescribing information.
- August 2023: Jaclyn Bjorklund files the first lawsuit citing gastroparesis.
- August 2022: Research links Ozempic to a higher risk of gallbladder diseases and gallbladder lawsuits begin. Additionally, multiple patent infringement lawsuits were also filed against Novo Nordisk in Delaware.
- 2021: More than 10,000 people complain of serious side effects from taking Ozempic. These complaints included stomach paralysis and gallbladder issues.
In addition to Ozempic lawsuits patients are filing against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer has filed five suits against spas, weight loss clinics and compounding pharmacies. Novo Nordisk says it took action to protect patients from unlawful sales of semaglutide drugs for off-label uses not FDA-approved.
Why Are People Filling Ozempic Lawsuits?
People who took Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes or Ozempic for weight loss are filing lawsuits after experiencing adverse reactions such as gastroparesis, severe vomiting or ileus while taking Ozempic or shortly after stopping the drug. Plaintiffs claim that the manufacturer failed to warn doctors and patients about these serious risks and side effects.
“Defendants spent $884,000,000 on running television ads in the United States … [and] spent $11,000,000 on food and travel for doctors … to promote Ozempic. … however, Defendants do not disclose any risks associated with severe gastrointestinal events … within the ‘Important Safety Information’ section of their promotional website.” — Jaclyn Bjorklund v. Novo Nordisk
Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach fails to empty because the muscles either slow down or stop working completely. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, acid reflux, weight loss and loss of appetite. Currently, there is no cure for stomach paralysis. Treatments offer temporary benefits.
Similar to gastroparesis, ileus affects a person’s ability to digest food. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea, constipation, vomiting, difficulty passing gas and difficulty tolerating a normal diet.
Lawyers Investigating Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuits
A 2024 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found an association between semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that causes vision loss and blindness and lawyers began looking into potential Ozempic vision loss and blindness claims.
Compared with patients not on a GLP-1 agonist, overweight people who took semaglutide for weight loss had a more than sevenfold higher risk of developing NAION. People with Type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide has a fourfold higher risk.
NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve stops, and there is no cure for it. Researchers think that GLP-1 drugs could affect the optic nerve, leading to development of the eye condition.
Who Qualifies for an Ozempic Lawsuit?
Patients who experienced stomach paralysis or severe vomiting for four weeks or more, who suffered an intestinal blockage or who received a diagnosis of ileus after taking Ozempic may qualify to file an Ozempic lawsuit.
Generally, lawyers do not take cases for people who had gastric bypass, gastric banding or gastric sleeve surgery. If you are being treated for cancer, you may not qualify. Only a licensed Ozempic lawyer can tell you if you qualify, so contact an attorney right away.
Expert legal counsel can help you determine if pursuing a lawsuit is the right action for you to take. Lawsuits can help people receive compensation to help cover medical expenses and lost wages.
How To File an Ozempic Lawsuit
The first step to filing an Ozempic lawsuit is to contact an experienced product liability attorney with expertise in pharmaceutical litigation. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process of filing and litigating your case.
For example, Consumer Notice works with the national award-winning law firm Morgan & Morgan. The firm filed the first Ozempic lawsuit on behalf of Jaclyn Bjorklund. Bjorklund suffered from severe vomiting and gastroparesis after taking Ozempic. The vomiting caused her teeth to fall out and led to several hospitalizations.
- Consult a lawyer with a record of success working with drug injury cases.
- Gather the necessary documentation to support your claim, particularly your medical records. The law firm may be able to help.
- Be sure to work with a lawyer you feel comfortable with and who offers clear, consistent communication. Your lawyer will discuss the case with you and explain the process going forward.
- Based on your discussions and documents, your law firm will determine the best approach for filing and the specifics of your claim.
- Your lawyer will file the claim for you and manage the process such as discovery, negotiating a settlement or taking the case to court.
Finding the right representation for you can make a significant difference in your litigation experience. Potential compensation from a settlement or successful verdict depends upon the specifics of your individual case. Your lawyer will work to get you the maximum compensation possible.
13 Cited Research Articles
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- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2024, November 1). MDL Statistics Report - Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by District. Retrieved from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-November-1-2024_0.pdf
- Hathaway, J.T. et al. (2024, July 3). Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients Prescribed Semaglutide. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2820255
- U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2024, February 2). Transfer Order, MDL No. 3094. Retrieved from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/MDL-3094-Transfer_Order-1-24.pdf
- Moniuszko, S. (2023, August 3). Ozempic, Mounjaro manufacturers sued over claims of “stomach paralysis” side effects. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ozempic-mounjaro-lawsuit-gastroparesis-stomach-paralysis-side-effect/
- U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana Lake Charles Division. (2023, August 2). Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial. Retrieved from https://www.forthepeople.com/sites/default/files/2023-08/Morgan%20%26%20Morgan%20Ozempic%20Bjorklund%20complaint%208.2.23.pdf
- UCI Health. (2023, July 28). In-demand weight-loss drugs are no magic bullet, UCI Health experts say. Retrieved from https://www.ucihealth.org/news/2023/07/ozempic-wegovy-caution
- Goodman, B. (2023, July 25). They took blockbuster drugs for weight loss and diabetes. Now their stomachs are paralyzed. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/health/weight-loss-diabetes-drugs-gastroparesis/index.html
- Burger, L. et al. (2023, July 10). EU investigates Ozempic, weight-loss durg Saxenda after suicidal thoughts reported. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-probes-novos-weight-loss-drugs-reports-suicide-risks-bloomberg-news-2023-07-10/
- Roberts, M. (2023, July 10). Weight-loss jabs investigated for suicide risk. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66119059
- Novo Nordisk. (2023, June 20). Press Release. Retrieved from https://www.novonordisk-us.com/media/news-archive/news-details.html?id=166121
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022, March). Highlights of Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/209637s009lbl.pdf
- Kalas, M.A., et al. (2021, October 2021). Medication-Induced Gastroparesis: A Case Report. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23247096211051919
- FDA. (2019, September). Highlights of Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/213051s000lbl.pdf
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