Ozempic is the brand name for an injectable semaglutide: a drug that regulates insulin and reduces blood sugar. It has been useful in managing type 2 diabetes and reduced the chances of cardiovascular ailments in these patients. The FDA sanctioned this drug for adults with type 2 diabetes in 2017.
The drug’s effectiveness for weight loss also resulted in off-label and broader use. There have been instances where patients have witnessed negative effects of the medicine, such as stomach paralysis. As a result, these patients have already filed several lawsuits to get compensated for their injuries. Since none of these cases stand resolved, it’s challenging to conclude the claims’ worth.
In this article, we will discuss the side effects of Ozempic and the factors that make you eligible for a lawsuit.
Ozempic and Stomach Paralysis: Is There a Link?
A woman from Louisiana was put on Ozempic before she started using Mounjaro. However, she had sued both companies, stating that the medicines caused acute GI issues. In her legal complaint, she shared being hospitalized several times because of stomach paralysis. Also, she had vomited so badly that she lost her teeth.
TruLaw states that stomach paralysis, or gastroparesis, happens because of delayed emptying of the stomach. It takes place because Ozempic, similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, reduces the speed at which the stomach vacates all its contents. Even though it is effective for weight loss and diabetes management, it results in several health issues.
There was yet another lawsuit against Novo Nordisk by a woman from Maryland who had to opt for gallbladder removal after using Ozempic. Another 47-year-old woman from West Virginia sued the same drug maker because the injectable semaglutide led to a chronic bowel injury. To correct it, she had to undergo emergency surgery. As an outcome, she faced nausea, constant abdominal pain, and vomiting.
Other Side Effects of Ozempic
Similar to any other drug, Ozempic might also lead to allergic reactions in the patient’s body. It can poorly interact with other supplements and medications. With some patients, the side effects are mild and not dangerous.
For others, they are fatal, such as:
- Thyroid cancer or tumors.
- Diabetic retinopathy is an inflammation of the eye tissue that might lead to blindness.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.
- Gallstones and biliary diseases.
- Bowel obstruction.
Most of these adverse effects were disclosed by Novo Nordisk at the time of the FDA approval process. For instance, the medicine disclosure insert has a boxed warning about the risks of thyroid cancer and tumors. Other health hazards have been identified in recent times. It also includes a warning by the FDA that came in September 2023. It said that the drug might also lead to intestinal blockage.
Are You Eligible for a Lawsuit?
If you or anyone you know has suffered from stomach paralysis or any of the above-mentioned health issues, after using this drug, they can file an Ozempic lawsuit. You indeed need to consult a lawyer and share your case details for them to determine if you are eligible for it. The lawyers have a few factors to consider before they decide whether the plaintiff can seek compensation through the lawsuit.
Some of the eligibility criteria for filing a legal complaint against Ozempic are:
- You have used Ozempic or any other semaglutide medicine for weight loss or any other treatment process. It is here that you need to keep doctor prescriptions and medicine bills handy to prove that you used this medicine for real and suffered from it.
- You developed stomach paralysis, intestinal obstructions, and gastric stasis and also witnessed gastrointestinal problems, such as puking. Ideally, it takes 2 weeks or even 30 days after the medicine has been stopped to see the side effects.
- You had to be hospitalized after using the medicine and have also been to the emergency room and consulted by a gastroenterologist.
- Your age was below 75 years when you started using this medicine.
To be eligible for the compensation as well, you should, on priority, have:
- Evidence that you had made use of Ozempic, for instance, medical documents.
- Documentation of the health hazards that resulted in vomiting, which urged you to consider medical attention.
- You have proof of financial stress because of the health conditions related to Ozempic, for instance, the hospitalization expectations.
Patients must be watchful and keep all the records linked to Ozempic handy and in a secure place. You must also carry proof of other allied expenses and adverse health issues. A lawyer will ensure that you receive the best from the situation.
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, February 2024, ordered Ozempic lawsuits in federal court. It can also be centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. So far, there are 13 lawsuits before Judge Gene E. K. Pratter, and the judges are receiving more of them.
In conclusion, doctors must let their patients know about the health hazards of Ozempic and implement other healthcare tactics. Typically, most people have witnessed stomach paralysis along with heart ailments, thyroid issues, and kidney issues.
It is necessary to consult a lawyer on the conditions under which you can file a lawsuit. The individual payout for the case depends on the extent of your suffering, as it is case-specific and will vary from one plaintiff to the next.