Understanding the GLP-1 Drugs Lawsuits: Severe Stomach Side Effects from Ozempic, Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Other Diabetes Medications

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly referred to as GLP-1 drugs or diabetes medications, are a class of medications primarily prescribed for managing diabetes and can also aid in weight loss. These drugs mimic the action of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.

Which GLP-1 Drugs Are Involved in the Lawsuits?

Several GLP-1 drugs are at the center of the current lawsuits due to their links to severe stomach side effects:

• Ozempic (semaglutide): This injectable medication is primarily used to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It enhances insulin secretion, reduces glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying, which helps lower blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss.
• Wegovy (semaglutide): Approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions. This medication reduces appetite and increases feelings of fullness, aiding in significant weight loss and improving overall health.
• Rybelsus (semaglutide): An oral GLP-1 medication for managing blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients. It provides a convenient alternative to injectable GLP-1 drugs while enhancing insulin secretion, reducing glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying.
• Saxenda (liraglutide): Prescribed for weight management in adults with obesity. This medication mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and reduce calorie intake.
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide): A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist used for Type 2 diabetes management. It stimulates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, improving insulin secretion and reducing blood sugar levels.
• Trulicity (dulaglutide): Designed to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. This once-weekly injectable medication stimulates the GLP-1 receptor, increasing insulin secretion, decreasing glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying.

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Why Are There Lawsuits Against GLP-1 Drugs?

The lawsuits against GLP-1 drugs center on serious stomach issues and gastrointestinal problems reported by users.

Here’s why the lawsuits are moving forward:

• Insufficient Warnings: The current warnings on these medications are viewed as inadequate because they failed to clearly communicate the risk of serious stomach problems.
• Lack of Comprehensive Testing: There are claims that these drugs were not thoroughly tested for long-term gastrointestinal effects before approval.
• Delayed Response: Some believe that once these side effects became known, the manufacturers did not act quickly enough to address the problems.

The lawsuits seek to hold manufacturers accountable for the harm caused and to obtain compensation for affected people.

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GLP-1 Drugs Severe Stomach Side Effects

The serious stomach problems reported include:

• Persistent Vomiting: Severe and continuous vomiting lasting at least four weeks, leading to dehydration and malnutrition.
• Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach takes too long to empty, causing nausea, bloating, and pain.
• Stomach Paralysis: Also known as “frozen stomach,” where the stomach muscles stop working, preventing digestion and causing extreme discomfort.
• Intestinal Blockage: Blockages in the intestines that may require surgery and can be life-threatening.
• Bowel Obstruction and Ileus: Conditions where the intestines are obstructed or paralyzed, preventing normal bowel movements and potentially leading to severe complications.

These conditions often necessitate hospitalization or extensive treatment, making them serious health concerns and affecting the quality of many users’ lives.

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GLP-1 Drugs Lawsuits Timeline

September 2014: FDA Approves Trulicity for Type 2 Diabetes Management

The FDA approved Trulicity (dulaglutide) for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults. Trulicity is a once-weekly injection that helps to control blood sugar levels and may also reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.

December 2014: FDA Approves Saxenda for Chronic Weight Management

The FDA approved Saxenda (liraglutide) for chronic weight management in adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity or overweight. Saxenda is also indicated for use in addition to diet and exercise.

December 2017: FDA Approves Ozempic for Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

The FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide) for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults. Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and known heart disease

September 2019: FDA Approves Rybelsus for Oral Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

The FDA approved Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults. Rybelsus is a tablet form of semaglutide, allowing patients to take the medication orally rather than through injections.

June 2021: FDA Approves Wegovy for Chronic Weight Management

The FDA approved Wegovy (semaglutide) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, who also have weight-related medical problems. Wegovy is also approved for use in children aged 12 years and older.

May 2022: FDA Approves Mounjaro for Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetes

The FDA approved Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for managing blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients.

August 2022: Initial Lawsuits and Emerging Risks

• Seven lawsuits were centralized into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in Delaware concerning patent infringement related to Ozempic (semaglutide). This litigation focused on protecting Novo Nordisk’s patents against generic drug makers.
• A research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine linked Ozempic to an increased risk of gallbladder disease and gallstones, prompting related lawsuits alleging inadequate warnings.

July 2023: Rising Demand and Drug Shortages

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) reported shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy due to heightened demand.

August 2023: First Lawsuit Filed Claiming Gastrointestinal Issues

The first lawsuit is filed alleging severe gastrointestinal injuries from Ozempic and Mounjaro. This lawsuit marked a significant legal challenge related to the side effects of these drugs, leading to summonses issued to Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

September 2023: FDA Updates Warning Labels

The FDA updated the warning labels for Ozempic to include risks of intestinal blockage, obstruction, and ileus, following reports of more than a dozen cases. This update came after 18 cases of ileus were reported to the FDA, with a total of over 8,500 reports of gastrointestinal issues related to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Ileus was mentioned in 33 cases, including two deaths. This labeling update matched the existing warnings for other GLP-1 drugs and receptor agonists.

December 2023: Key Case Ruling

Judge James Cain, Jr. rejected Novo Nordisk’s attempt to dismiss the first case, allowing failure to warn claims to proceed.

January 2024: FDA Review of Adverse Effects

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients using GLP-1 drugs. The FDA’s preliminary evaluation did not find evidence linking these medications to suicidal thoughts or actions.

February 2024: Consolidation of Lawsuits

A total of 55 lawsuits alleging severe gastrointestinal injuries from GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, were consolidated into a federal MDL in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

May 2024: Passing of Judge Gene E. K. Pratter

Judge Gene E. K. Pratter, overseeing the Ozempic and Mounjaro MDLs, passed away unexpectedly. The MDLs were reassigned, which led to delays in the litigation process.

June 2024: MDL Reassignment and Status Conference

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation reassigned the Ozempic MDL to Judge Karen S. Marston. A status conference was held, with expectations that Judge Marston would continue selecting bellwether cases and managing discovery.

July 2024: New Study on Semaglutide

Harvard Medical School published a study linking semaglutide use to an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition that can lead to sudden vision loss.

August 2024: Ongoing Lawsuit Acceptance

The lawsuits involving GLP-1 drugs are still ongoing. New cases are being accepted as the litigation continues to evolve.

The collective pursuit of justice and compensation remains active and ongoing.

Moving Forward Together

In the GLP-1 drugs and diabetes medications mass tort lawsuit, you are not just another case—you are part of a powerful movement to hold corporations accountable for their actions. Your voice, along with those of countless others, boosts the demand for justice against the manufacturers who failed to warn about the severe stomach and gastrointestinal problems these diabetes drugs cause.

We understand the profound impact these issues have had on your life. Our dedicated legal team is diving deep into the evidence, uncovering critical details, and preparing to confront these corporations. We are not just your law film; we are your support advocates guiding you every step of the way.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We’re always here for you. Together, we will fight for the accountability, justice, and fair compensation that you deserve.

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