Ozempic Lawsuit: Stomach Paralysis – Seeking Compensation

Ozempic Lawsuit: Drug Companies Face Gastrointestinal Injury Claims

Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication used to treat diabetes, has become largely known for its positive side effect of weight loss. Nonetheless, despite its sharp rise in popularity, the drug company that manufactures Ozempic is facing scrutiny and a mass tort Ozempic lawsuit as a result of widely reported gastrointestinal issues from its users. The Ozempic lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP are currently considering cases in which patients used Ozempic or other similar drugs and then developed severe intestinal disorders. Contact our experienced attorneys to schedule a free consultation online or by calling 866-878-6774.

Ozempic and Its Path to Popularity

Ozempic is a prescription drug for the treatment of Type-2 diabetes manufactured by Novo Nordisk Inc. Its generic name is semaglutide. It belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. These drugs mimic a hormone naturally produced by the human body called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).

GLP-1 is produced by the human body in the small intestine. It is secreted into the gastrointestinal system when a meal is eaten. The hormone has several functions in the body, such as stimulates insulin secretion, which allows the body to use glucose from food;

• Delays emptying of the stomach, causing a feeling of satisfaction for a longer time after eating;
• Slows the release of glucose into the blood stream, thereby avoiding spikes in glucose;
• Suppresses other hormones involved in causing a feeling of hunger;

When Ozempic is introduced into the body, it has a similar effect as GLP-1. Thus, the medication not only helps lower blood sugar, but also promotes weight loss by telling your brain that you are ‘full’.

Importantly, Ozempic is not approved by the FDA for weight loss. Regardless, Ozempic exploded in popularity as an ‘off-label’ weight loss drug.  Data indicates a significant increase in Ozempic users who were not diagnosed with diabetes.  Actors, popular musicians, and other celebrities began promoting Ozempic into unprecedented notoriety. The Ozempic frenzy became so big that there was an actual Ozempic drug shortage, which made it quite difficult for patients relying on Ozempic to treat their diabetes.

Aggressive advertising with catchy jingles has helped make Ozempic a household name. With the continued increase in the use of Ozempic, its side effect of weight loss caused its popularity to skyrocket. Ozempic was being used in an ‘off-label’ capacity for weight loss more than for its primary purpose of treating diabetes. In fact, just this year (2023), Ozempic saw a 111% increase in prescriptions from 2022.  An estimated $11,000,000.00 was spent by makers of Ozempic to promote the medication to physicians.

Nonetheless, reports of adverse gastrointestinal effects from the use of Ozempic have likewise skyrocketed. More recent studies have indicated that Ozempic may increase the risk of gallbladder disease.  These reports continue to unfold, and often include findings of stomach paralysis, also known as gastroparesis. In 2021, the FDA received more than 100,000 adverse event reports from users of Ozempic and other semaglutide related drugs.

Research has shown a link between Ozempic and gallbladder disease, primarily cholelithiasis (gallstones) and cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation). If you have been diagnosed with either of these conditions after using Ozempic, you might qualify to receive compensation.

Ozempic Lawsuit for Stomach Paralysis: Consider the Following About These Two Conditions:

Cholelithiasis (gallstones): This condition involves solidified deposits of digestive fluid in the gallbladder. These deposits sometimes grow to golf ball size and can result in blockages as well as associated symptoms including:

• Nausea
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Sharp, sudden pain in the upper abdomen
• Vomiting

Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation).

When gallstones block the gallbladder’s tube, bile collects and can result in inflammation and/or cholecystitis. People who ignore this condition can end up facing serious symptoms, which include:

• Intense upper abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Pain that radiates to the right shoulder or back
• Vomiting
• Abdominal tenderness

Victims injured by Ozempic claim the drug company failed to sufficiently warn them about the risk of these and other severe gastrointestinal events, such as severe vomiting which leads to loss of teeth, stomach pain, gastrointestinal burning, hospitalization and emergency room visits.

Victims who have used Ozempic (semaglutide) and then suffered from severe gastrointestinal issues like gastroparesis and stomach paralysis may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you or a loved one used any form of Ozempic and then suffered from these injuries, call our experienced attorneys to schedule a free consultation at insert tracking number as soon as possible.   State laws, known as statutes of limitations, restrict how long you have to file a legal claim following an injury.

If You Think You Are Eligible for Inclusion in the Ozempic Lawsuit Our Legal Team Can Help:

• Verify your eligibility to take legal action during a free case review
• Gather evidence, like your medical records, to build a strong case
• File your Ozempic lawsuit within any statutes of limitations or state deadlines
• Negotiate an Ozempic settlement with the defendant(s)
• Present your case in a court trial if a settlement is unable to be reached

Reasons to Pursue an Ozempic Lawsuit Against the Manufacturer

The primary goal of many people who have experienced side effects caused by Ozempic is to return to leading normal lives. Beyond personal recovery, however, it is important to appreciate the wider-reaching implications of legal action:

• Acknowledging pain and suffering. Greater than the physical ramifications, many patients also end up experiencing psychological trauma. These individuals placed trust in medication to improve their health, when instead it caused additional side effects. In this setting, legal action can offer a sense of justice and acknowledgment of how pharmaceutical companies have betrayed patient trust.

• Compensation for medical bills. Serious side effects like gallbladder disease, stomach paralysis, and gastroparesis can result in substantial medical costs. Surgery, extended hospital stays, and ongoing treatment can result in large hospital bills. Fortunately, lawsuits can help recover costs and make sure patients are not faced with financial burdens created by corporate oversight and greed.

• Establishing a precedent. By taking legal action, a victim is not only seeking justice for themselves but also seeking to establish a precedent that makes sure others do not similarly suffer in the future. Successful lawsuits can lead pharmaceutical companies to reconsider their practices or reassess their medication usage to avoid potential harm to future patients.

• Securing transparency in big pharma. By making sure that pharmaceutical companies are held responsible, the industry more closely approaches transparency. In this context,transparency means rigorous testing, more comprehensive side effects disclosure, and emphasizing patient safety over profits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ozempic

• Am I Eligible for an Ozempic Lawsuit? If you have used, or are currently using Ozempic and have developed a serious gastrointestinal disorder, you may be eligible to file an Ozempic lawsuit. Talk to an experienced Ozempic attorney about your options as soon as possible.
• Can Ozempic Cause Intestinal Issues? Yes. Since Ozempic slows the speed of stomach emptying, it can cause minor issues such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and stomach pain. In some cases, however, there have been links between Ozempic and more serious intestinal issues like gastroparesis, emergency room visits, and prolonged hospitalizations.
• Should I Stop Taking Ozempic? If you are experiencing digestive symptoms that seem more serious than expected, or if you’ve experienced slowed stomach emptying before taking Ozempic and are now taking the drug, talk to your doctor about a possible alternative. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first. If you don’t suffer from diabetes, but still want to use Ozempic for weight loss, please understand that the medication works only as long as you take it. Should you lose weight on Ozempic and then stop the medication, you are likely to regain that weight. While this may encourage you to take the medication long-term, please consider the risks and benefits of doing so carefully.

Contact an Ozempic Lawsuit Attorney Today to Start Pursuing the Compensation You Deserve.

By holding pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk accountable, the attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can help you seek the justice you deserve. We understand that patients had hoped Ozempic would aid in their weight loss journey and are here to provide the support you need while pursuing an Ozempic lawsuit. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation online or by calling us at 866-878-6774.