Articles and advertisements for the prescription drug Ozempic are all over the web, television, print, and more. You may see remarkable weight loss stories featuring some celebrities who easily dropped a lot of weight by taking Ozempic.
However, many horror stories illustrate serious Ozempic side effects and the medical issues that can accompany this product.
At Dolman Law Group, our personal injury attorneys keep a close eye on each Ozempic lawsuit filed by patients who face the severe side effects of Ozempic use. Our mission is to protect people facing Ozempic problems and hold the manufacturer and others accountable for the harm they caused.
If you or someone you love was prescribed Ozempic and are struggling with Ozempic side effects, contact the experienced dangerous drug lawyers at Dolman Law Group. We can explain how filing an Ozempic lawsuit could help you receive the compensation you need to move forward.
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How Does Ozempic Work, and Which Conditions Does It Treat?
Ozempic is the brand name of an FDA-approved drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk originally intended to treat type-2 diabetes. The drug, also known as semaglutide, is a GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Analog-Type drug used to control high blood sugar in type 2 diabetics.
Ozempic and other similar GLP-1 drugs are administered with an injector pen, which pumps the medication into the patient, usually once a week. Because so many diabetic patients reported losing weight while using Ozempic, the drug is now prescribed “off-label” for weight loss.
In basic terms, drugs like Ozempic mimic the effect of the incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that helps regulate the patient’s blood sugar levels. Ozempic stops the liver from producing excess sugar and stimulates the pancreas to create insulin, both of which are important concerns for people with type-2 diabetes.
So far, Ozempic has helped many people treat their diabetes and lose weight. However, some patients also report terrible Ozempic side effects and serious health conditions that they had no idea the drug could cause.
What Ozempic Side Effects Are Patients Reporting?
Stomach Paralysis and Digestive Issues
In July 2023, scientists learned that when patients use Ozempic and other similar drugs like Wegovy for weight loss, they may face serious digestive problems, including stomach paralysis (gastroparesis), extensive vomiting, constipation, and other gastrointestinal concerns.
In September, the FDA finally required Ozempic’s label to warn about an increased risk of ileus, which causes an obstruction of food and liquid in the colon.
These digestive problems have been linked to taking Ozempic and similar drugs over a long period of time at the higher dosage required for weight loss treatment. Stomach paralysis, ileus, and other digestive issues can cause serious damage and even permanently impact the patient’s quality of life.
Many people suffering from these digestive issues are involved in Ozempic stomach paralysis lawsuits throughout the nation.
More Research Linking Ozempic to Stomach and Digestive Issues Supports the Formation of an Ozempic Lawsuit Multi-District Litigation (MDL)
At the start of October 2023, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released a new study that disclosed the risks associated with taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. The data suggested patients taking these medications for weight loss could have an increased risk of developing digestive Ozempic side effects.
Since the release of the latest research, the number of Ozempic lawsuits has grown to the point that lawyers for many injured patients requested the formation of multidistrict litigation (MDL) to coordinate the litigation process and ensure consistent results among all related Ozempic claims.
Increased Risk of Developing NAION and Vision Loss
A July 2024 study out of Harvard University has found a potential link between Ozempic use and a serious eye condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION. The researchers determined that patients taking Ozempic and other drugs that contain semaglutide have a four to eight times greater chance of developing NAION. This condition can result in sudden vision loss when the optic nerve is denied oxygen flow.
Based on this preliminary research, the dangerous drug lawyers at Dolman Law Group are working with Ozempic users who have suffered vision loss to protect their rights through Ozempic vision loss lawsuits. Contact our team to learn more about this groundbreaking litigation.
Other Ozempic Side Effects Reported - Gallbladder Issues and Gallstones
The recent Ozempic lawsuits related to gastroparesis and other digestive concerns are big news. However, they are actually the second round of personal injury claims filed due to unforeseen Ozempic side effects. Before gastrointestinal side effect cases came to light, other lawsuits claimed Ozempic use caused gallstones and other gallbladder-related problems.
Several Ozempic patients filed suit after they were diagnosed with gallstones, medically known as cholelithiasis. In their lawsuits, these plaintiffs claim their gallstones are connected to their use of Ozempic.
Gallstones occur when the gallbladder cannot properly process bile. Excess bile can create gallstones from the accumulated bile. Some gallstones pass through the body naturally if they are small enough. However, larger and more numerous stones can cause serious and extremely painful blockage.
The patients bringing Ozempic gallbladder lawsuits allege the Ozempic manufacturers should have warned about this serious side effect so they could make an informed decision before taking the drug.
Studies Reveal Ozempic Side Effects Including Gallstones
Unfortunately, some studies have shown that one out of every six patients using Ozempic may develop gallstones. In 2017, researchers released a study after collecting data from 113 clinical trials involving GLP-1 drugs taken by patients with type 2 diabetes. The results showed an increased risk of gallstones in those patients. The same researchers conducted another study in 2020 using an updated meta-analysis to support their earlier findings.
A Chinese study followed 76 clinical trials and found a connection between patients who used GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and the diagnosis of gallbladder issues, including gallstones.
What Damages Can an Ozempic Lawsuit Recover?
Ozempic is a drug that many patients trust to treat diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately, many users are now suffering serious Ozempic side effects and severe health conditions, including digestive gastroparesis and gallbladder issues.
All drugs can have negative side effects. However, under the law, drug manufacturers have a legal duty to inform and warn consumers about the risks they face when taking a drug. The pending Ozempic lawsuits allege Novo Nordisk failed to warn medical providers and patients about potential Ozempic side effects such as gallstones and stomach paralysis.
These serious Ozempic side effects may not be life-threatening for every patient, but they may still negatively affect their finances and quality of life forever. When you file an Ozempic lawsuit, you may request compensation for both economic damages (out-of-pocket costs), such as medical expenses and lost income, as well as non-economic damages (intangible losses), including mental anguish or pain and suffering.
Common personal injury damages an injured Ozempic user might claim in a lawsuit include:
- Medical expenses such as
- Doctor appointments and lab tests
- Diagnostic imaging
- Medication to treat the Ozempic-related condition
- Surgery to remove gallstones or relieve digestive obstructions
- Hospital costs
- Job-related losses including
- Lost income caused by receiving medical care or inability to work
- Missed promotions, benefits, or loss of employment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
What Are the Potential Long-Term Side Effects of Ozempic?
Patients use semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists for extended periods of time, possibly for their lifetime, especially if used as weight-management medications. However, according to a JAMA Medical News and Perspectives study, we still have a limited understanding of the possible long-term side effects of Ozempic, especially among patients taking GLP-1 drugs to fight obesity.
Based on rodent studies, GLP-1 drugs may cause medullary thyroid cancer. However, because cancer usually develops slowly over time, we will need many years to accumulate sufficient data to show a causal impact between Ozempic use and cancer.
Recent Ozempic side effect research is also shifting focus from digestion-related problems to potential vision problems experienced by people taking GLP-1 agonists to treat obesity. A few studies are analyzing a possible increased risk of retinopathy in patients taking semaglutide to treat type 2 diabetes.
These preliminary findings emphasize a growing need for ongoing research to reveal the long-term complications related to Ozempic use, especially regarding potential health risks. If you have questions about Ozempic side effects, talk to your doctor first. Then, consult with the experienced legal professionals at Dolman Law Group for legal guidance.
How Our Ozempic Lawyers Can Help You
If you or someone you know has taken Ozempic and has received a gastroparesis or cholelithiasis diagnosis, call a product liability lawyer who understands the laws surrounding dangerous drugs.
When you partner with the skilled legal team at Dolman Law Group, we’ll ensure you completely understand your legal rights and options if you pursue an Ozempic lawsuit.
Understanding your rights and the complicated legal process could mean the difference between receiving a fair settlement or a winning verdict and walking away from your claim with too little or nothing at all.
Our experienced product liability attorneys can fight for you during every step of the claims process.
Some of the valuable services we provide include:
- Gathering evidence to build a strong claim
- Calculating your damages and being sure to include all compensable losses
- Negotiating with the insurance companies to reach a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if a settlement is not possible
- Presenting your case at trial, if necessary to protect your rights
Our savvy and tenacious law firm offers professional skills and resources many other personal injury law firms can’t offer. We understand our clients are dealing with their Ozempic-related injuries and financial losses on a daily basis. We can help by overseeing your legal case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Trust the Experienced Product Liability Lawyers at Dolman Law Group to Handle Your Ozempic Lawsuit
If you face severe symptoms from gallstones, stomach paralysis, or another condition you believe taking Ozemic caused, reach out to one of our product liability lawyers as soon as possible about your case.
During your free consultation, a compassionate and knowledgeable Ozempic lawyer at Dolman Law Group can share valuable information, including whether you can bring an Ozempic lawsuit and answer all your questions about recovering compensation for your losses.
One of our skilled Ozempic lawyers can evaluate your situation and explain whether you could pursue financial compensation from the makers of Ozempic or another drug. We can also discuss the potential value of your claim damages and the legal options available to you under your unique circumstances.
Call us at 866-481-4691 or complete this simple online form today for a free consultation. We can explain your legal rights and the possible compensation you can pursue from these negligent drug makers.