Ozempic: Miracle Weight Loss Drug Or Dangerous Drug?

If you or a loved one were seriously injured while taking Ozempic, Van Law Firm Can Help

The Ozempic jingle is instantly recognizable. Ozempic’s popularity is undeniable. In fact, more than 15 million people are now using prescriptions for Ozempic and similar drugs, according to a survey recently cited on cnn.com.

Demand for these drugs is now so great that the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)  has announced shortages of Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro in different  dosages, CNN reports.  As also reported by CNN, drug company Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic,  said in May that at least 25,000 people in the United States are starting its drug Wegovy each week – compared to 5,000 each week last December.

However, taking Ozempic and similar medicine is not without risks. If you or a loved one was injured while taking Ozempic, Van Law Firm may be able to help.

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What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic – or semaglutide – is  a drug that has been used to treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering A1C since the FDA approved it for that purpose in 2017. 

Ozempic is just one of several drugs generally classified as  glucagen-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs. In addition to Ozempic, Novo Nordisk makes  two other well-known semaglutide in this class  called Wegovy and Rybelsus. Of all of these drugs, only Wegovy is  FDA-approved for the treatment of adult obesity and weight loss.

Eli Lilly and Company also makes three  drugs classified as GLP-1 Ras. The FDA approved two – Trulicity (a duaglutide) and Mounjaro (a tirzepatide) – for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in 2014 and 2022, respectively. The FDA also approved Zepbound (which is also a tirzepatide) for the treatment of obesity or excess weight in adults in 2023.

While these pharmaceutical companies initially indicated to FDA that the medications were intended for limited use, some lawyers  familiar with Ozempic injury cases  say this was not the intention. The drug companies were always targeting a much larger patient population, they say. This has allegedly resulted in rampant off label marketing.

Why is Ozempic so popular?

While Ozempic’s popularity has taken the public by storm, some attorneys involved in Ozempic injury claims, aren’t surprised. In fact, they say, the companies that make GLP-1 RAs have known about the weight loss implications associated with these drugs for years. The pharmaceutical giants  then set about convincing the medical community to change its collective opinion about obesity. Specifically, they wanted the medical community to start thinking about obesity as a disease.

As the story goes, the American Medical Association (AMA) was considering doing just that approximately 11 years ago. However, the committee looking into it did not believe obesity should be classified as a disease according to an article in the New York Times. Still, the AMA brought it to a vote of all the members. Spearheaded by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the AMA voted to classify obesity as a disease. One of the biggest sponsors of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists were Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozympic, and Eli Lily and Company.

And big pharma is reaping the rewards. According to some estimates, GLP-1s account for $15 billion in profits each year. There are also implications for investors – with stock in these companies performing well. Manufacturers have purportedly told investors that they expect approximately 9 percent of Americans to be on this type of drug by 2030. That’s approximately 30 million people. Novo Nordisk advertises that Ozempic can help people lose weight.

As the survey cited in the CNN report indicates, two in every five people using these prescription medicines are doing so solely to lose weight. While older adults are more likely to use this type of medication, younger adults are more likely to do so only in order to lose weight, the survey found.

Of course there is a catch. These prescription drugs are expensive – reportedly costing approximately $1,000 per month. To maintain weight loss, users must take these drugs long term, if not for the rest of their lives, lawyers involved in Ozempic claims say.

Some attorneys familiar with these cases also have concerns about the labeling of these products – specifically Ozempic. The crux of these concerns is whether the labels provide adequate warnings about certain side effects, including vomiting and gastroparesis not linked to other medical conditions.

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Common Ozempic Injuries

You or a loved one may be eligible for compensation for financial and non-financial losses incurred because of injuries sustained while taking Ozempic. Common Ozempic injuries noted in class action lawsuits include:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – or a blood clot located in a deep vein (often in the legs)
• Gastroparesis – a condition affecting muscle movement in the stomach that keep it from emptying properly
• Pancreatic cancer
• Damage in the esophagus
• Gallbladder removal (in certain cases)
• Intraoperative Pulmonary Aspiration – inhalation of stomach contents during surgery
• Ileus – a temporary condition that keeps your intestine from pushing food and waste out of the body; or bowel obstruction (in certain cases)

During your initial consultation an experienced personal injury attorney from Van Law Firm will ask specific questions about your condition to determine if you have a viable case. We will also review your medical records to confirm an official diagnosis, any relevant hospitalizations, and how many. All of this information can serve as valuable proof of serious injury at trial.

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GLP-1RA Injury Claims Lead To Class Action Lawsuits

To date, GLP-1 RA injury claims – specifically those pertaining to Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and/or Mounjaro have resulted in numerous class action lawsuits in different parts of the United States. This in turn led plaintiffs to request consolidation of pretrial proceedings in one court. This is called Multi-District Litigation, or MDL. 

The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation granted the request, and pretrial matters in the consolidated cases are now being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with Judge Gene E.K. Pratter presiding. The first Case Management Conference has already been held and plaintiff’s leadership has been appointed. A “Science Day” is slated for June 2024. It is an opportunity to present relevant scientific and medical information to the judge in an objective manner for future reference.

In this context, it is important to note that formation of an MDL does not preclude the inclusion of additional cases after the fact. As long as there are similar allegations or “common questions of fact,” more cases may be added.

Contact Van Law Firm To Discuss Your Ozempic Injury Case Today

If you or a loved one took Ozempic  or other semaglutide  and are suffering from any of the injuries we have mentioned, you are not alone. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Van Law Firm to discuss your situation today.

Our dedicated team can quickly and easily assess your unique circumstances to determine whether you have a viable case. If so, we will share our recommendations regarding your options for legal recourse.