Weight Loss Drug Side Effects?

Manufacturers of these weight loss injections, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, downplayed or failed to warn patients about these drugs’ risks of stomach paralysis and obstruction.

Ozempic’s parent company, Novo Nordisk, has rejected accusations about the drug being unsafe, even as more victims continue to come forward. 

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your legal options. With no upfront fees, you won’t owe a penny unless we win your case.

You may qualify to join a lawsuit against these drug manufacturers if you meet the following criteria:

• No longer taking the medication
• Experienced gastroparesis/stomach paralysis, ileus/intestinal blockage, or persistent vomiting requiring hospitalization
• Used any of the following medications: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, Saxendra, Trulicity, or Zepbound

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Ozempic works by stimulating insulin production and reducing glucose production in the liver, helping to lower blood sugar levels.

Though both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active compound, Wegovy contains a much higher dose of semaglutide. It received FDA approval as a weight loss medication in 2021, the first new weight loss medication to gain approval in several years.

Saxenda is a GLP-1 medication that delivers an active compound called liraglutide.

Liraglutide was originally approved by the FDA as an adjunct therapy to diet and exercise for management of type 2 diabetes in 2010, sold under the brand name Victoza. 

But following clinical trial results, liraglutide sold under the name Saxenda gained approval in 2017 as a weight loss medication for people with a BMI of 30 or higher or people with a BMI of 27 and higher who also have a metabolic health condition. 

Saxenda is not used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Rybelsus is an oral medicine that can be used as a first-line medication to improve blood sugar control in adults over the age of 18 with type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and lowers glucagon secretion from the liver. People stabilized on Rybelsus tablets can be transferred to Ozempic subcutaneous injection.

Trulicity (generic name: dulaglutide) is a medication used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA).

Trulicity works by mimicking the action of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate blood sugar levels. By activating GLP-1 receptors, Trulicity can increase insulin secretion, decrease glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar levels), slow down stomach emptying, and promote a feeling of fullness after meals.

Several lawsuits have been filed against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturers of Ozempic, alleging that the drug has caused serious side effects and complications. Some of the common allegations include:

• Gastroparesis
• Paralyzed stomach
• Stomach not working
• Persistent vomiting (>4 weeks)
• Death

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no known cure for gastroparesis other than treatment and management. The disease can cause major complications in the body, like dehydration, malnutrition, and a decreased quality of life. 

According to parent company Novo Nordisk, gastrointestinal (GI) events are “well-known side effects of the GLP-1 class. 

“For semaglutide, the majority of GI side effects are mild to moderate in severity and of short duration,” Novo Nordisk said. “GLP-1’s are known to cause a delay in gastric emptying, as noted in the label of each of our GLP-1 RA medications. Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, nausea, and vomiting are listed as side effects.” 

While Ozempic’s weight loss effects on the body have been hailed as a miracle, the drug unfortunately has an impact on the body’s hormones. It mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which regulates insulin and keeps food in your stomach longer. Digestion is aided by a contraction of the stomach muscles, which helps empty the food out. But when food stays in your stomach for too long, or the muscles slow down too much, it can cause intense nausea.