A dozen people, including an unnamed woman, are taking legal action against Novo Nordisk, the parent company of Ozempic and Wegovy, after they allegedly suffered life-changing intestinal injuries linked to the popular weight-loss drug.
Gastroparesis and its toll:
The injectable drug Ozempic is shown in Houston on Saturday, July 1, 2023. A preliminary review of side effects of popular medications used to treat diabetes and obesity shows no link to suicidal thoughts or actions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. However, the agency also said officials cannot definitively rule out “there may be a low risk” and that they will continue to review reports of more than a dozen drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. (AP) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed }} {{/userSubscribed}}
All plaintiffs claim the injections caused gastroparesis, a rare condition that affects the movement of stomach muscles. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition causes nausea, bloating, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss and malnutrition.
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The unidentified woman was diagnosed with a “life-threatening intestinal injury” after taking Ozempic. She underwent an eight-hour operation to repair her colon, but doctors delivered grim news: She will suffer from diarrhea for the rest of her life and will never have solid stools again.
Allegations against Novo Nordisk:
The woman accuses Novo Nordisk of failing to adequately warn about the risk of gastroparesis associated with the drug, raising concerns about the transparency of drug packaging.
It is unclear whether the woman was taking Ozempic for weight loss or to treat diabetes, and the length of time she was on the medication before the intestinal injury is unknown.
The dual purpose of weight loss drugs:
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Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, both Ozempic and Wegovy were prescribed by doctors to aid weight loss. These medications, known as semaglutide, are injected weekly into the stomach, thigh, or arm and help regulate insulin secretion and produce a feeling of fullness.
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Other weight loss injections from various pharmaceutical companies, such as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, have reportedly caused similar problems. A separate lawsuit alleges that a woman who took both Ozempic and Mounjaro was diagnosed with gastroparesis, which resulted in severe vomiting and tooth loss.
Increasing complaints and concerns:
Numerous lawsuits, including at least nine against Eli Lilly alone, indicate a growing trend of serious side effects associated with weight loss injections. Florida attorney Cameron Stephenson predicts a coming surge in cases and estimates thousands more people will be affected.
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Brea Hand, a 23-year-old Ozempic user, filed a lawsuit after suffering from gastroparesis symptoms including nausea, vomiting and constipation. Her frightening journey took her to the intensive care unit and highlighted the need for greater transparency about possible side effects.