Ozempic and Mounjaro Lawsuits

Side Effects of Mounjaro and Ozempic Lead to Hospitalization and Lawsuit

In August 2023, patients who experienced serious side effects while taking Ozempic and Mounjaro began filing lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturers, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

According to one complaint, a 44-year-old woman from Louisiana was prescribed Ozempic by her doctor before being moved to Mounjaro. In her lawsuit, she alleges both drugs caused her to experience severe gastrointestinal events. These included excessive vomiting and extreme stomach pain. As a result, the woman was hospitalized multiple. She also claims to have lost teeth due to the vomiting.

Users also reported gastroparesis, also called stomach paralysis.  This condition causes food to move too slowly or even stop in the stomach, resulting in symptoms like those experienced by the Louisiana plaintiff.

In the lawsuits, the plaintiffs allege that neither Novo Nordisk nor Eli Lilly disclosed any risk of side effects similar to those they experienced. The lawsuits accuse the manufacturers of inadequate warning, failure to warn, and breach of warranty.

Patients Taking Ozempic Report Stomach Paralysis and Intestinal Blockages

Among the adverse effects most commonly cited in Ozempic lawsuits are side effects dealing with the stomach, intestines, and digestive systems. Two major side effects are gastroenteritis (stomach paralysis) and ileus (intestinal blockages).

Both gastroenteritis and ileus are serious side effects that can result in hospitalization and/or death. Patients experiencing either may experience similar symptoms inlcuding:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation

If you suspect you are a loved one is experience gastroenteritis or ileus while taking Ozempic, Moujarno, or a similar drug, it is important you recieve out medical attention.

What Is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a health disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine. The disorder occurs when there is no blockage in the stomach or intestine. Instead, the slowing or stoppage is caused by changes in the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles in your stomach.

As a result, affected individuals may experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Acid reflux
• Weight loss
• Malnutrition

Ozempic Linked to Serious Eye Condition and Vision Changes

A study published by JAMA Ophthalmology in July 2024 determined that user of semaglutide drugs like Ozempic face an increased risk of developing nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is a serious eye condition that can result in sudden vision loss. 

The study determined Type 2 diabetic patients using semaglutide had an 8.9% risk of developing NAION, marking a significant increase to the 1.8% risk recorded in patients using non-semaglutide medications. Similarly, patients using semaglutide for weight loss recorded a 6.7% risk of NAION compared to 0.8% among patients using alternative drugs.

What Is Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)?

NAION is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve through restricted blood flow. Common symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Color distortion
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Dark or gray spots in the vision that don’t move
• Loss of contrast or light sensitivity

NAION occurs without warning and can result in mild to severe vision loss.

Ozempic and Drop Foot

Reports indicate Ozempic and similar drugs may also result in peroneal neuropathy (also called Slimmer’s paralysis or drop foot). This condition causes weakness or paralysis in the muscles that lift the foot. Patients may struggle to lift the front part of the foot, leading to toe dragging and difficulty walking. They may also cause falls.

This condition has been reported in patients who experienced weight loss associated with Ozempic use. Symptoms may include:

• Toe dragging while walking
• The foot making a slapping sound as it hits the ground
• Weakness in the foot or ankle
• Muscle atrophy in the foot or leg
• Numbness or tingling in the foot or shin

Are Ozempic and Mounjaro Approved by The FDA and Safe to Use?

While it is true that both Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved to treat diabetes, this does not mean they are free from side effects and possible health risks. This is why drugs carry detailed product labels and warnings addressing possible adverse events and health risks. 

The lawsuits claim the manufacturers Ozempic and Mounjaro did not fully address the health risks associated with the drugs.

Additionally, both drugs have seen increased off-label use as a weight loss drug. This occurs when a doctor prescribes a drug for a condition other than those that the drug has been approved. In fact, a commercial for Ozempic noted that some users could lose weight while taking the drug.

The resulting boom in off-label use has gone viral on social media, with an estimated 15% of Americans having taken Ozempic. As of April 2023, doctors were writing 60,000 new prescriptions for Ozempic every week.

What if You’ve Experienced Adverse Effects While Using Mounjaro or Ozempic?

If you’ve encountered issues such as gastroparesis or stomach paralysis while taking Ozempic or Mounjaro, reach out to Thomas J. Henry for a free case evaluation.

For 30 years, Thomas J. Henry has been a dedicated advocate for individuals who have suffered injuries in cases involving personal injury and product liability. During this time, Thomas J. Henry has built a reputation for his firm’s unwavering commitment to clients and his ability to litigate against large corporations, including Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.

Don’t delay and jeopardize your well-being. Contact Thomas J. Henry today. We are available around the clock, seven days a week, including nights and weekends, to assist you.