Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are prescription drugs based on the active ingredients semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Lawsuits and litigation have started for serious and life-threatening conditions related to intestinal side effects.
These drugs are designed to improve blood sugar levels and promote weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes. They do this by attaching to specific hormones in the body, such as GLP-1, which triggers the body to release insulin and regulate blood sugar levels. This artificially slows the passage of food within the digestive tract, making people feel fuller longer.
Recent medical studies have associated serious health conditions with Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. These adverse effects, however, were not mentioned in the warning sections of the labels provided by pharmaceutical companies. The failure to inform users about known risks can serve as strong grounds for a lawsuit for users having been seriously affected by these drugs.
Medical studies have shed light on two conditions in particular associated with these medications: gastroparesis and bowel obstruction. Reports of “impaired gastric emptying” were reported in studies as early as 2016. (Marso, SP, Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, N. Eng. J. Med. 375:1834-1844 (November 2016)).
Gastroparesis, characterized by stomach paralysis, occurs when these drugs cause the stomach to empty itself in an abnormal way, resulting in the impaction of food in the stomach or upper intestines. This disruption manifests in symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and pain, often leading to hospitalization.
Additionally, these medications have been linked to bowel obstruction, also known as ileus or intestinal blockage. This condition involves food compaction in the lower end of the intestines, sometimes forming a mass known as a bezoar. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required.
If you have experienced any of the above conditions, resulting in any symptoms or hospitalization, please don’t hesitate to contact our firm today by completing this form for a free consultation.
In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a cautionary statement, acknowledging the “adverse event reports” after taking these drugs. Little action was taken in response by pharmaceutical companies, doctors and users.
Since then, the FDA received thousands of reports of gastrointestinal issues, over thirty reports of ileus and at least two reports of death as a result of taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro.1 In September 2023, the FDA mandated the three manufacturers to include warnings about the above side effects in their official labeling.
It’s essential to acknowledge that there may be other potential side effects associated with these drugs, and while manufacturers do provide warnings for certain risks, such as pancreatitis, the recent identification of gastroparesis and bowel obstruction highlights the apparent dangers already associated with Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
While no one can undo permanent damage done by an injury, a lawsuit can help the victim and their family recover losses and receive the medical treatment they deserve in the future. Our skilled New York attorneys are dedicated to investigating the cause of these injuries and doing whatever is necessary to make sure the offending products are kept away from innocent people.
If you or someone you know has suffered from complications from taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, contact Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP today to explore your legal options.
Our attorneys serve victims of Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro. Call (212) 684-1880 to learn more during a free and confidential consultation.
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