Aug 4, 2023
The makers of popular diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro have been hit with a personal injury lawsuit over allegations that the medications cause dangerous gastrointestinal side effects. Both drugs have generated worldwide popularity of late for aiding weight loss.
The drug manufacturers – Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co. – were sued over claims that the medications can cause gastroparesis, a paralysis of the stomach. The 26-page lawsuit, filed on behalf of a Louisiana woman, asserts that the drug companies failed to “adequately warn patients about the possible risk of severe stomach problems associated with their blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro,” according to the court filing.
The lawsuit states that the plaintiff – Jaclyn Bjorklund, 44 – was “severely injured” after taking the two diabetes drugs. Bjorklund reportedly first used Ozempic for more than a year until around July 2023 and then began using Mounjaro. She is believed to be the first victim to allege that the popular weight loss drugs can cause gastrointestinal injuries.
“As a result of using Defendants’ Ozempic and Mounjaro, Plaintiff was caused to suffer from severe gastrointestinal events, and as a result sustained severe and permanent personal injuries, pain, suffering, and emotional distress, and incurred medical expenses,” the lawsuit reads.
Various health conditions and side effects alleged to have been caused by the drugs are listed in the lawsuit:
Ozempic and Mounjaro are part of a new class of medicines known as GLP-1 agonists, according to NBC News. They assist patients with Type 2 diabetes through managing their blood sugar levels. But these medications have also become extremely popular for off-label weight loss use.
“GLP-1 medications work, in part, by slowing how quickly food moves through the stomach, which can lead to a person feeling fuller longer. They can also, however, cause gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, which have been well documented in clinical trials and are listed as potential side effects on drugs’ labels,” NBC News said.
The Ozempic/Mounjaro lawsuit accuses the drugmakers of failing to disclose serious health problems that can be caused by the medications. The main side effect noted in the claims is severe gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). Persistent vomiting is another health problem listed in the personal injury lawsuit.
Gastroparesis or stomach paralysis is a serious condition which slows or stops movement of food out of the stomach and into the small intestines. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases confirms that stomach paralysis is sometimes referred to as “delayed gastric emptying.”
Additionally, the American College of Gastroenterology notes that stomach paralysis or gastroparesis can be caused by underlying medical issues – one of the most common being diabetes.
The drug labels on Ozempic and Mounjaro do not list “gastroparesis” as a possible side effect or related condition. “Delays gastric emptying” is listed on the labels of both drugs, however.
NBC reported that The Food and Drug Administration declined to comment on the Ozempic/Mounjaro personal injury lawsuit. A spokesperson for the agency issued a statement noting that it is unclear whether the GLP-1 medications contribute to the occurrence of gastroparesis.
Doctors told CNN that they are receiving “more and more” reports of gastrointestinal issues in patients who have taken the following similar diabetes/weight loss drugs:
As the “popularity of the drugs has soared,” the US Food and Drug Administration told CNN it had “received reports of gastroparesis with semaglutide and liraglutide, some of which documented the adverse event as not recovered after discontinuation of the respective product at the time of the report.”
(Novo’s Ozempic and a similar drug, Wegovy, utilize the same medication – semaglutide. Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro uses tirzepatide).
Given the popularity of Ozempic and Mounjaro – which has increased substantially now that patients are using the drugs for both diabetes-related issues as well as aiding in weight loss – thousands of similar cases leading to lawsuits are expected.
The popularity of off-label weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy has skyrocketed in the last three years. According to Truveta, a clinical data analysis company, more than 120,000 patients received a first-time GLP-1 prescription for either Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Wegovy between January 2020 and April 2023. “Ozempic was the only drug available for the full time period studied and had the highest prescriptions overall,” Truveta confirmed.
An attorney reprensenting the Louisiana woman in the lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly told media outlets that there are currently 400 other inquiries under investigation from potential injured clients across 45 states.
If you’ve suffered stomach paralysis or other gastrointestinal symptoms after taking Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegovy, you may be entitled to a cash settlement which can help you obtain justice as well as the financial compensation you need for things like:
To speak with a weight loss drug attorney about your Ozempic or Mounjaro stomach paralysis case, contact Dordulian Law Group (DLG) today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM. DLG is a top-rated and proven California-based firm led by former prosecutor Sam Dordulian. We represent injured victims throughout the United States, fighting aggressively for justice and treating every case with dedication, professionalism, and discretion. Whether you live in California or anywhere throughout the U.S., we can help you take the first step toward securing justice and maximum financial compensation for your stomach paralysis case.
Drug manufacturers have a duty of care to the public to produce safe products. Medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy should undergo rigorous safety testing before being prescribed to patients.
If you’ve taken any of these medications and experienced gastrointestinal problems such as:
Please contact our experienced pharmaceutical and drug injury attorneys today by calling 866-GO-SEE-SAM or emailing us at info@dlawgroup.com.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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