Grasping the Perils of Popular Weight Loss Medications: A Closer Look at Ozempic and Wegovy

Ozempic and Wegovy Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

If you or a loved one have been seriously harmed after taking Ozempic or Wegovy, you may be entitled to compensation. The mass tort attorneys at The G Law Group are representing patients who have suffered serious complications including gastroparesis, pancreatitis, and vision loss after taking these drugs. As of August 2025, more than 2,190 lawsuits are pending in federal court against the manufacturers. This article explains what these drugs are, what side effects have been reported, and what your legal options are.

If you are currently experiencing side effects, contact your physician immediately. If you believe you have been harmed, contact The G Law Group for a free consultation at (305) 486-7468.

What Are Ozempic and Wegovy?

Ozempic (semaglutide injection, 0.5–2 mg) is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease.

Wegovy (semaglutide injection, 2.4 mg) is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight adults with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Both drugs are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists manufactured by Novo Nordisk. They work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite.

These drugs have proven beneficial for many patients, offering them a chance at a healthier life.

However, pharmaceutical companies have neglected to highlight the numerous health risks associated with Ozempic and Wegovy. For example, an increasing number of patients have reported constant vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, gastroparesis and host of other life-altering side effects. These distressing scenarios underline the critical need for users to understand the potential risks of these medications before making a fully informed decision whether to take Ozempic or Wegovy.

Serious Side Effects of Ozempic and Wegovy

Both Ozempic and Wegovy have proven useful for many patients looking to manage their Type 2 diabetes or issues with obesity. However, a darker side of these drugs has emerged recently, according to a CNN report.

Patients who have used these medications are now encountering severe side effects, including a condition known as gastroparesis or stomach paralysis.

The FDA has updated Ozempic’s warning label multiple times in response to adverse event reports. As of January 2025, the label now includes explicit warnings for severe pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, ileus, gallbladder disease, and pulmonary aspiration. Below are the most significant side effects that have featured in Ozempic lawsuits and FDA investigations.

Ozempic Gastroparesis Symptoms (Stomach Paralysis

Gastroparesis means the stomach cannot empty itself normally. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic slow gastric emptying by design - in most patients this is mild and temporary, but in some it becomes severe and irreversible.

A 2023 study published in JAMA found that GLP-1 receptor agonist users were 3.7 times more likely to develop gastroparesis compared to users of bupropion-naltrexone (another weight-loss drug). Many patients have required hospitalization, feeding tubes, or surgery. Gastroparesis claims are one of the central focuses of MDL 3094, the federal multidistrict litigation in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Constant Vomiting

This incessant symptom not only triggers immense discomfort but can also lead to severe dehydration, an imbalance of electrolytes, and a significant negative impact on day-to-day life. In extreme cases, constant vomiting can cause esophagus inflammation, tears, or even rupture.

Can Ozempic Cause Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, is one of the most serious risks associated with Ozempic. In January 2025, the FDA updated Ozempic's warning label to include severe pancreatitis and acute kidney injury.

Clinical studies found that GLP-1 receptor agonist users were 9.1 times more likely to experience pancreatitis compared to those on other weight-loss medications. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain (which may radiate to the back), nausea, vomiting, and fever. Pancreatitis can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization. Necrotizing pancreatitis - where pancreatic tissue begins to die - has also been reported in Ozempic users and can be fatal.

Vision Loss (NAION) and Ozempic

A new and serious risk has also emerged: permanent vision loss. In July 2024, researchers at Mass Eye and Ear published a landmark study in JAMA Ophthalmology linking semaglutide to a significantly elevated risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) - a condition that can cause sudden, irreversible partial or total vision loss in one eye.

Patients prescribed semaglutide for type 2 diabetes were found to be approximately 4 times more likely to develop NAION; those prescribed it for obesity were approximately 7 times more likely. The European Medicines Agency ordered updated warning labels to include NAION risk in August 2024.

Vision loss cases have since become a primary focus of the MDL 3094 litigation, with plaintiffs’ lawyers arguing the condition is both sudden and permanent, making it one of the strongest claim types in the litigation.

Death During Surgery

Though extremely rare, people have died during surgical procedures meant to resolve the adverse side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy. This unfortunate possibility serves as a stark reminder of the potential life-threatening complications that these drugs may present.

Other Reported Ozempic and Wegovy Side Effects

Beyond the conditions covered above, adverse event reports submitted to the FDA and allegations in lawsuits have also cited the following: ileus (intestinal blockage), gallbladder disease, pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, and thyroid C-cell tumors.

Given the severity of these side effects, it's clear they extend far beyond minor discomforts. They significantly lower the quality of life and could pose critical threats to a patient's overall health and well-being. To make matters worse, many users are not even aware that they could be subjecting their bodies to lifelong complications or discomfort that may be irreversible.

The Ozempic Lawsuit: Where Things Stand

If you or a loved one have suffered complications after taking Ozempic or Wegovy, it's important to know that there is legal recourse available.

How Many People Have Filed Ozempic Lawsuits?

The number of Ozempic and Wegovy lawsuits has grown rapidly. As of August 2025, more than 2,190 cases are consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL 3094) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, overseen by Judge Gene E.K. Pratter.

Cases involve plaintiffs who suffered gastroparesis, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, vision loss and other serious injuries after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or other GLP-1 drugs.

The MDL includes claims against Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic and Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (maker of Mounjaro and Zepbound). Total liabilities for Novo Nordisk alone could exceed $2 billion, according to financial analysts tracking the litigation.

What Are the Core Allegations in the Ozempic Lawsuits?

The lawsuits share a common core: failure to warn. Plaintiffs allege that Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly knew or should have known about the risks of serious gastrointestinal conditions, vision loss, and other harms, yet failed to adequately warn patients and prescribing physicians.

Do You Qualify for an Ozempic or Wegovy Lawsuit?

You may have grounds for a claim if you were prescribed Ozempic or Wegovy (or another GLP-1 drug such as Rybelsus, Mounjaro, or Zepbound) and were subsequently diagnosed with one or more of the following: gastroparesis or chronic delayed gastric emptying; pancreatitis (acute or chronic); NAION or sudden vision loss in one eye; ileus or bowel obstruction; serious kidney injury; or another serious condition your doctor has linked to your use of the drug.

To support your claim, you should preserve all prescriptions and pharmacy records, medical records documenting your diagnosis and treatment, communications with your healthcare provider, and records of any hospitalisations or procedures.

Contact The G Law Group Today

Our team of skilled mass tort attorneys are well-versed in handling complex failure to warn cases against large pharmaceutical companies. We have the experience to help you navigate the complex legal landscape while offering emotional support throughout this difficult time. Call us now at (305) 486-7468 for a free consultation. You can also click below to schedule your free case evaluation with one of top-rated Ozempic or Wegovy injury attorneys.

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