Hundreds of Americans are now involved in a multi-state lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, accusing them of causing life-altering injuries through the use of their popular weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Mounjaro. The lawsuit claims these drugs led to severe gastrointestinal issues, including stomach paralysis, gallbladder problems, and more, which the companies allegedly failed to adequately warn users about.
Among the plaintiffs is Dana Filmore, a 55-year-old from Ohio, who has been forced to live on a liquid diet of protein shakes and Jell-O due to stomach paralysis linked to her use of Ozempic. For two years, the drug successfully managed her type 2 diabetes, but over time, severe nausea set in, making it impossible for her to consume solid foods. Filmore now suffers from gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach cannot properly process food, leading to unpredictable bouts of diarrhea and a reliance on blended meals.
Jacqueline Barber, a 48-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, faced even more severe consequences. After being prescribed Ozempic in 2021 for diabetes, she endured months of uncontrollable vomiting and eventually lost 140 pounds, dropping to just 87 pounds. Barber, who was later diagnosed with gastroparesis, had to be put on a feeding tube due to her inability to digest food.
Bob Tuttle, a 60-year-old from Tennessee, also experienced devastating effects from the drug. While working on an oil rig, he became so ill from stomach paralysis that he had to be airlifted to a hospital. Like Filmore and Barber, Tuttle was diagnosed with gastroparesis, which forced him to quit his job. He has since joined the lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
The pharmaceutical companies have denied the allegations, stating that the risks of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, are clearly outlined on the drug’s label. While the FDA’s label mentions gastrointestinal issues, it does not specifically warn of stomach paralysis. The companies argue that their drugs are safe when used as directed by healthcare professionals.
Nevertheless, the FDA has recorded nearly 22,000 adverse reactions to Ozempic, with gastrointestinal issues like stomach paralysis accounting for 43% of these reports. Though not all injuries are definitively linked to the drug, the lawsuit has drawn attention to the potential long-term effects of using these medications for weight loss and diabetes management.
As more research emerges, studies have indicated that users of semaglutide may be at an increased risk for conditions like pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis. Despite the popularity of these drugs, the ongoing lawsuits could have significant implications for their future use.
