There are current lawsuits related to complications from weight-loss drugs. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege that after taking certain prescription medications for weight loss or diabetes, they eventually developed stomach paralysis, also known as gastroparesis.
The plaintiffs claim that prescription drug manufacturers failed to properly warn about this potential side effect. The plaintiffs seek financial restitution for damages, including pain and suffering, along with compensation for their medical bills. These weight-loss lawsuits are still in their early stages. However, if anyone develops gastroparesis after taking a prescription weight-loss or diabetes medication, they may be eligible for a lawsuit. Here is all the latest information about these weight-loss lawsuits, including information on projected settlement amounts and eligibility requirements.
Is there a weight-loss lawsuit?
Yes, there is currently a weight-loss lawsuit. Jaclyn Bjorklund filed the first weight-loss lawsuit in Louisiana on Aug. 2, 2023. In this lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that they developed gastroparesis after taking the drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro. Gastroparesis is a severe disorder in which food moves too slowly from the stomach to the small intestine; in some cases, food can stop moving altogether. It can also cause severe vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal pain, among other symptoms.
Ozempic is a prescription medication used for weight loss and diabetes. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, helps slow food leaving the stomach. This helps patients feel fuller longer, leading them to consume less food. The manufacturer of Ozempic is Novo Nordisk, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. They claim that Ozempic has been used safely for years to treat diabetes and obesity.
Mounjaro is another prescription medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Patients receive Mounjaro through an injection, and it aims to improve blood sugar control. Eli Lilly, another large pharmaceutical company based in the U.S., manufactures this medication. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are the named manufacturers in the weight-loss lawsuits; the plaintiff alleges that these companies failed to adequately warn of their medications' potential side effects.
Latest weight-loss lawsuit updates
The lawsuits against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are still in their early stages. In August 2023, the first lawsuit involving Ozempic and Mounjaro was filed. At this point, summonses to Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly were issued. The law firm that filed this lawsuit is investigating 400 other inquiries from clients across the U.S.
Currently, there are no class-action lawsuits related to Ozempic or other semaglutides. There is also no motion to consolidate these lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation. However, if the number of cases related to Ozempic and weight loss continues to grow, this may change. This is likely the next phase of the litigation, as more people become aware of the lawsuits and determine whether or not they want to join.
Weight loss linked to stomach paralysis
There is growing evidence that weight-loss drugs can lead to stomach paralysis. While more research is likely needed to definitively prove the connection, some studies already suggest it. Below are two studies on weight loss and stomach paralysis that may lay the foundation for further research.
Body weight in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis
The first study came from the NIDDK Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium. In this study, the researchers aimed to learn more about the factors that impact body weight in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis. To do this, the researchers examined 138 patients with idiopathic gastroparesis, gathering detailed history and weight measurements at the start of the study and after 48 weeks. They used questionnaires to learn more about the patients, such as their quality of life, level of physical activity, and food intake.
Through this study, the researchers gathered significant evidence that diet, activity, and symptoms are essential factors in body weight for patients with idiopathic gastroparesis. The researchers also found less gastric retention for patients who were losing weight than those who either were gaining weight or had no change in weight. Finally, the researchers concluded that "change in body weight over time was associated with oral energy consumption and symptoms of abdominal pain, retching, constipation, and changes in severity of early satiety."
Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with semaglutide
In the second study, researchers aimed to look at the safety of semaglutide use over the long term. One of their reasons is the increased use of semaglutides and the rise in gastrointestinal adverse events, with annual reports multiplying by almost four times between 2018 and 2021. To conduct their research, the researchers mined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pharmacovigilance database, looking for semaglutide-associated gastrointestinal safety signals. Through this process, researchers identified more than 5,400 patients with semaglutide-associated gastrointestinal AEs.
After collecting the data, the researchers found that an association between semaglutide and gastrointestinal disorders remained even after accounting for age, body weight, and sex. Additionally, the researchers state that their results were consistent with other clinical trials that suggest semaglutide may increase the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.
Projected weight-loss medication settlement amounts
Currently, it is too early to project potential weight-loss settlement amounts. Once more people begin to file lawsuits and reach either a settlement or a jury verdict, it will be easier to estimate potential settlement amounts. However, we can look at other cases related to weight-loss lawsuits to make an educated guess.
For example, in 2016, the Federal Trade Commission led an effort to stop misleading claims from products about easy weight loss. As a part of this effort, the marketers of Sensa, a product that claimed you could "sprinkle, eat, and lose weight," agreed to pay $26.5 million for deceiving customers with unfounded weight-loss claims. In another 2014 settlement, an operation known as Sale Slash agreed to pay approximately $10 million over their unsupported claims related to weight-loss products. In both cases, most of the settlement amount went to consumers who bought the misleading products.
Do you qualify for a weight-loss lawsuit?
Lawyers are looking for people who suffered severe gastroparesis after taking Ozempic or another semaglutide. People suffering from severe gastroparesis who have experienced vomiting for at least four weeks may be eligible for a weight-loss lawsuit. A lawyer or law firm specializing in pharmaceutical lawsuits should be consulted to determine eligibility for a weight-loss lawsuit.
In the initial consultation, the lawyer will ask questions about the situation. Some criteria they may explore are the medications taken, including Ozempic, and how long those drugs have been taken. They will also look at the severity and duration of the symptoms. Some criteria that may prevent someone from filing a weight-loss lawsuit include current cancer treatment or prior gastric bypass surgery before taking Ozempic. However, every situation is unique, so these are rough guidelines, not concrete rules. Consulting with a lawyer is the best way to determine eligibility for a weight-loss lawsuit.
Manufacturers involved in the lawsuit
As of September 2023, two primary manufacturers are involved in weight-loss lawsuits. The first is Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic. Novo Nordisk is a multinational pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Denmark. However, they have facilities all over the world. Novo Nordisk specializes in pharmaceutical products related to diabetes. Its primary products are Ozempic, used to treat diabetes, and Wegovy, used to treat obesity.
The other manufacturer is Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro. Eli Lilly is an American pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Indiana. Some of Eli Lilly's biggest products include Prozac and Cymbalta, used to treat clinical depression. However, it also specializes in diabetes drugs, such as Humalog and Trulicity.
