Breaking Down the Ozempic Lawsuit: What You Need to Know Now

The Ozempic lawsuit involves the drug called “semaglutide,” popularly known as Ozempic. The drug has made headlines recently due to users claiming that their gastroparesis or gallbladder disease was caused by Ozempic.

In my experience, time is not on your side when it comes to potential class-action cases against a drug like Ozempic. If you believe you were injured through the use of Ozempic, contact an experienced product liability attorney in your area to learn how you could win compensation for your injuries.

Ozempic Lawsuit Update

About a month ago, the FDA added a warning for more serious side effects to its Ozempic label. Despite this, the Ozempic lawsuit has not yet become a multidistrict or class action case as of the time of writing. The cases are still being presented on an individual basis against the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk.

However, a proposal for a class action lawsuit has been filed in British Colombia. It is currently waiting for the judge’s approval, which if granted will make this the start of a potentially worldwide class action case against the manufacturer.

In my experience, for a popularly used drug like Ozempic to receive an FDA-approved label change amid individual lawsuits, a class action case is likely. However, it is still pending the judge’s decision. Whether there will be an Ozempic recall is another issue that could develop over the next year too.

History of Ozempic

Semaglutide was created as an adjunct to diabetes therapy. It became publicly available in 2017 after its FDA approval. It’s likely by now that you’ve heard at least one commercial for the popular medication (“Oh, oh, oh, OZEMPIC!”).

In 2021, university researchers discovered the drug’s potential as an anti-obesity medication. Yet, in under a year after this use became popularized globally, the FDA has recorded over 10,000 reports of adverse side effects related to the drug and its derivatives.

It wasn’t until 2023 that news outlets began reporting the drug’s side effects, with individual lawsuits filed soon after.

Why Are People Filing Ozempic Lawsuits?

People are filing Ozempic lawsuits because the drug has become associated with diagnoses of a painful chronic condition called gastroparesis.

This condition makes the muscles and nerves of the stomach incredibly weak, causing the person to have trouble properly digesting food. This condition commonly leads to obstructed bowels, diarrhea, and nausea.

The weakening caused by gastroparesis is not temporary and cannot be cured. Only through medication management and some surgical options can patients find relief. In other words, Ozempic’s potential to cause the condition could lead thousands of users toward a lifelong struggle.

Allegations in Ozempic Lawsuits

The allegations of side effects in Ozempic lawsuits focus on gastroparesis, but other claims are relevant as well. In my experience with product liability claims, these other claims can be just as significant, especially if Novo Nordisk failed to report them or purposely concealed their impact.

Suicidal ideation, otherwise known as thoughts of suicide, has been linked to semaglutide through over 150 reports from Ozempic users. Though this is a well-known side effect of many weight loss medications, Ozempic may carry a greater risk than the label suggests.

Researchers Identify a Link Between Ozempic and Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is another reported side effect. Last year, the Journal of the American Medical Association linked Ozempic and its variants Wegovy and Rybelsus to a risk of gallbladder disease. This symptom is not a factor in the current lawsuit, but it may result in similar lawsuits in the coming years.

Novo Nordisk’s Defense Against Ozempic Lawsuits

The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has reported that the side effects caused by Ozempic are temporary and mild. They also emphasize the medication’s label, which mentions some of the side effects, such as suicidal ideation, as a requirement for all weight loss drugs sold in the United States.

Importantly, the manufacturer denies that Ozempic causes gastroparesis. If the Ozempic lawsuit becomes a class action case, it will likely center around Novo Nordisk’s denial of the side effects and its use of labels to communicate downplay them to the medication’s users.

Eligibility to File an Ozempic Lawsuit

To be eligible to file an Ozempic lawsuit at this time, you must be able to link gastrointestinal issues like chronic diarrhea or vomiting to your use of Ozempic. Since Ozempic is now taken by over 9 million people, lawyers have to pick and choose who they will represent.

In my experience, this means that it will be difficult for those who only experienced suicidal ideation after taking Ozempic to file a lawsuit. I urge those who suspect they were impacted by negative side effects to consult a product liability lawyer, but until more research has linked suicidal thoughts with Ozempic use, that symptom alone will be difficult to build a case on.

Who Can File an Ozempic Gallbladder Lawsuit?

As mentioned, only those who have taken Ozempic for a while and have experienced gastrointestinal distress related to their use of the medication can file an Ozempic lawsuit. As of the time of writing, only individual cases are being filed, though a class action may be assembled in the coming months.

Available Damages for Ozempic Lawsuits

The types of compensation you can receive in an Ozempic lawsuit could include:

• Past medical costs related to the side effects discussed in the case
• Ongoing treatment costs, including medications and therapy, for issues related to these side effects
• Future medical costs related to these symptoms
• Punitive damages for Novo Nordisk’s neglectful behavior
• Compensation for legal fees

Every case is different, so I would advise you to speak with an experienced attorney about your situation to learn what compensation you could be eligible to receive.

How to File an Ozempic Lawsuit

To file an Ozempic lawsuit, you need to know a few important facts, including how often you took Ozempic and for how long, the size of your dose, and the side effects you experienced.

Since hundreds of people have experienced side effects related to their use of Ozempic, many lawyers are only taking cases with strong medical documentation supporting their claims. Contact a lawyer near you to learn more about the evidence you need to file your case.

Counterfeit Ozempic

Counterfeit Ozempic pens have been discovered in the U.S., which Novo Nordisk has denied any association with. If you used counterfeit Ozempic, this could complicate your case for compensation, whether it was on purpose or an accident.

Side effects related to counterfeit Ozempic use may not be eligible for compensation in the Ozempic lawsuit. However, I believe you may be able to file a case against the counterfeiters instead for misrepresenting their product as a name-brand medication. Speak with a product liability attorney near you to learn more.

The Future of Ozempic Lawsuits

Right now, Ozempic lawsuits have been filed on an individual basis. None have been settled yet, and only the first hint of a potential class action has been introduced in a Canadian court. Importantly, an Ozempic recall has not been issued, but that could be another possibility moving forward.

The results of these early cases will likely determine the future of Ozempic lawsuits and whether you will be able to receive compensation for the side effects you experienced after using Ozempic for obesity or diabetes management. Speak with a lawyer in your area to learn more about your eligibility.

To learn more, check out Defective Product Lawsuits.