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Mounjaro Lawsuit: Stomach Paralysis Linked to New Diabetes Drug? (2024 Update)

The law offices of Schmidt & Clark, LLP, are investigating potential lawsuits for people who developed a rare stomach problem called gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis, after taking the type 2 diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
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If you or a loved one suffered from stomach paralysis or another injury after taking Mounjaro or another weight loss medication, you should contact our lawyers today.

You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Mounjaro Stomach Paralysis Lawsuit and our lawyers can help. Please click the button below for a Free Confidential Case Evaluation or call our law firm today by dialing (866) 588-0600.

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Eli Lilly Sued Over Mounjaro Stomach Paralysis Risk

Jaclyn Bjorklund was prescribed Ozempic for over a year before switching to Mounjaro in July 2024. After starting Mounjaro, she began experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues, including persistent vomiting and stomach pain.

Bjorklund underwent multiple hospitalizations due to her severe symptoms, which included excessive vomiting, leading to tooth loss.

Severe and Unexpected Injuries Linked to Weight-Loss Medications

Before diving into the legal implications, it is crucial to understand the severity of injuries being reported by patients using Mounjaro and Ozempic.

  • Tooth Loss: A devastating consequence of severe vomiting triggered by these medications.
  • Frequent Hospitalizations: Patients have reported multiple emergency room visits due to intense gastrointestinal distress, including unrelenting stomach pain and vomiting.

As a result, the suit claimed that Bjorklund “was and still is caused to suffer from severe gastrointestinal issues, as well as other severe and personal injuries which are permanent and lasting in nature, physical pain, and mental anguish.”

Omission of Gastroparesis Risks in Drug Warnings

Despite warnings about delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal issues, the labeling for Mounjaro and Ozempic fails to address gastroparesis—a condition causing stomach paralysis that severely impacts digestion.

This oversight is at the heart of the lawsuits, claiming manufacturers inadequately informed patients about this significant risk.

The Growing Wave of Legal Actions

The lawsuit filed by Bjorklund represents just one piece of a much larger legal puzzle. Over 1,300 pending cases against Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The first federal trials are expected to begin in 2025, marking a pivotal moment in these proceedings.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (tripeptide) is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug is administered through subcutaneous injection (under the skin). Mounjaro is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2022.

How Does it Work?

Mounjaro increases insulin production when the patient’s blood sugar rises. The drug also decreases the liver’s production of sugar.

Is Mounjaro Approved to Treat Weight Loss?

Mounjaro is currently only approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. However, the drug is often prescribed “off-label” to treat obesity. In 2022, the FDA granted Mounjaro a “fast-track” designation for review to treat obesity in overweight individuals.

Scientific Evidence: Mounjaro and Gastroparesis Risk

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for treating type 2 diabetes. While it offers benefits in managing blood sugar levels and aiding weight loss, emerging evidence raises concerns about its impact on gastric emptying and the associated risk of gastroparesis.

How Mounjaro Affects Gastric Emptying?

Mounjaro mimics incretin hormones, which are crucial in regulating insulin secretion and appetite. One of its key effects is delaying gastric emptying, meaning food stays in the stomach longer before moving into the small intestine.

This delay can lead to feelings of fullness and decreased appetite, but it also poses risks for gastrointestinal health. Research indicates that this slowed gastric emptying can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, which are frequently reported side effects among users [1].

Research on Gastroparesis Risk

While specific studies directly linking Mounjaro to gastroparesis are limited, there is growing concern within the medical community regarding the potential for this condition to develop as a side effect.

The FDA has noted that medications in the GLP-1 class, including Mounjaro, may be associated with an increased risk of gastroparesis, particularly in patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal issues [2].

Reports from patients have highlighted severe symptoms consistent with gastroparesis, such as persistent vomiting and abdominal discomfort, raising alarms about the long-term implications of using this medication.

Gastroparesis Symptom Progression: What You Need to Know

Recognizing the signs and progression of gastroparesis can make a critical difference in receiving timely treatment. Let’s explore how symptoms evolve when to take action and the potential complications that may arise if left unmanaged.

Early Indicators: Subtle but Significant

The first signs of gastroparesis are often easy to overlook but hold significant diagnostic value:

  • Mild Nausea: This unease in the stomach is often one of the earliest clues.
  • Feeling Full Too Soon: Known as early satiety, this can make even small meals difficult to finish.
  • Bloating After Meals: Patients may notice their stomach feels tight or distended shortly after eating.

While these symptoms may appear mild initially, they can escalate rapidly, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to early patterns of discomfort.

Escalation: How Symptoms Develop Over Time

Gastroparesis doesn’t remain static; it worsens with time. Here’s how symptoms typically progress:

  1. Initial Stages: Nausea and bloating give way to more severe signs such as vomiting and abdominal pain. Patients often avoid meals due to fear of discomfort.
  2. Worsening Symptoms:
    • Frequent Vomiting: Undigested food may be expelled hours after eating, disrupting daily life.
    • Acid Reflux: Heartburn and indigestion become common due to delayed gastric emptying.
    • Diminished Appetite: Persistent discomfort leads to unintended weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.
  3. Severe Stages: Chronic symptoms like unrelenting vomiting can cause dehydration, while abdominal pain intensifies, often described as gnawing or burning.

This progression highlights the urgency of seeking professional help to mitigate further health decline.

Critical Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Recognizing the point at which symptoms become dangerous is crucial for preventing long-term damage. Seek medical care if you experience:

  • Severe Abdominal Pain: Persistent, sharp pain that doesn’t subside could signal serious complications.
  • Continuous Vomiting: This is especially concerning if it lasts for hours or contains blood (resembling coffee grounds).
  • Signs of Dehydration: Symptoms like extreme thirst, dizziness, or reduced urination warrant immediate attention.
  • Sudden Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss or visible signs of malnutrition, such as fatigue or hair thinning, can indicate a critical need for intervention.

Long-Term Risks: What Happens Without Treatment

If left untreated, gastroparesis can lead to severe health problems, compounding the challenges for patients:

  • Malnutrition: Chronic vomiting and reduced food intake result in inadequate nutrient absorption, weakening the body.
  • Electrolyte Imbalances: Frequent vomiting disrupts sodium, potassium, and chloride levels, posing life-threatening risks.
  • Gastric Blockages: Hardened masses of undigested food, known as bezoars, can obstruct the stomach, requiring emergency care.

Understanding the timeline of gastroparesis symptoms underscores the need for awareness and proactive action. As more cases emerge, legal and medical communities explore links to certain medications, highlighting the critical need for patient education and transparent drug labeling.

By addressing symptoms early and seeking professional advice, patients can better navigate the challenges of gastroparesis while advocating for informed medical care.

Mounjaro Maker Sued Over “Stomach Paralysis” Claims: NBC News Video

Other Mounjaro Side Effects

Common side effects of Mounjaro include:

  1. Nausea
  2. Vomiting
  3. Diarrhea
  4. Decreased appetite
  5. Constipation
  6. Upper abdominal discomfort
  7. Abdominal pain

Strong Evidence of Liability in Mounjaro and Ozempic Lawsuits

The legal cases against Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk over their diabetes medications, Mounjaro and Ozempic, hinge on several compelling factors.

These include discrepancies between warnings and actual risks, prior knowledge of potential complications, similarities with other GLP-1 drug cases, and FDA communications. Let’s break down the evidence shaping these lawsuits.

Misleading Warnings vs. Actual Risks

Patients were warned about general gastrointestinal issues, but the severity of risks like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) was not adequately disclosed. This has left many users unprepared for debilitating complications.

  • Labeling Issues:
    • The product warnings addressed nausea and delayed gastric emptying but omitted gastroparesis as a potential outcome.
    • Plaintiffs argue that manufacturers minimized these risks, causing harm to unsuspecting patients.
  • Legal Implications: Failing to warn about such severe side effects could be considered negligence, strengthening the liability case against these companies.

Did Manufacturers Know the Risks?

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are accused of withholding critical information about the potential dangers of their medications.

  • Internal Evidence:
    • Clinical trial data may have revealed the link between these drugs and severe gastrointestinal side effects, including gastroparesis.
    • Lawsuit filings suggest that the companies failed to disclose this data, leaving patients and healthcare providers unaware of the full risks.
  • Impact: If proven, prior knowledge could indicate willful negligence, leading to potentially higher punitive damages for affected patients.

Patterns in Similar GLP-1 Drug Lawsuits

These lawsuits are not isolated incidents; other GLP-1 receptor agonists have faced similar claims.

  • Semaglutide Cases:
    • Legal actions against Semaglutide highlight comparable gastrointestinal complications, creating a pattern of concern across this class of drugs.
    • Such precedents reinforce claims that Mounjaro and Ozempic manufacturers may have downplayed significant risks despite industry knowledge of these issues.
  • Strengthening the Case: The recurring nature of these claims points to systemic failures in providing transparent safety information.

FDA Warnings Add Credibility

The FDA has played a key role in scrutinizing GLP-1 medications, emphasizing the need for clear, comprehensive labeling.

  • Recent Communications:
    • The FDA has expressed concerns about misleading marketing practices for diabetes drugs, including claims that obscure serious side effects.
    • These warnings underscore the manufacturers’ duty to inform the public and healthcare providers about potential dangers.
  • Legal Significance: FDA involvement adds weight to the argument that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk may have failed in their obligations to protect patients.

What This Means for Plaintiffs

Patients impacted by these drugs are pursuing compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. The lawsuits argue that inadequate warnings and manufacturers’ alleged prior knowledge have caused undue harm to users.

As the cases progress, homeopathy lawsuit attorneys are leveraging this growing body of evidence to challenge the safety and marketing of Mounjaro and Ozempic.

For patients and their advocates, these legal battles represent a critical step toward accountability in the pharmaceutical industry.

Gathering Evidence for Your Mounjaro Lawsuit

Gathering comprehensive evidence is crucial if you are considering filing a lawsuit related to Mounjaro and its associated risks. Here are the types of documentation you will need to support your case effectively.

Medical Records Needed

  • Clinical Records: Obtain all medical records from healthcare providers that document your diagnosis, treatment plans, and any complications related to Mounjaro use.
  • Hospitalization Records: If you were hospitalized due to gastrointestinal issues or other complications, request detailed records from the hospital, including discharge summaries and treatment notes.
  • Diagnostic Tests: Collect results from any diagnostic tests performed, such as gastric emptying studies or imaging studies that may indicate gastroparesis or other gastrointestinal conditions.

Prescription History

  • Prescription Documentation: Gather records of all prescriptions for Mounjaro and any other medications prescribed during your treatment. This includes dates, dosages, and prescribing physician information.
  • Pharmacy Records: Request medication history from pharmacies where you filled prescriptions for Mounjaro or similar drugs.

Medical Expenses Tracking

  • Receipts and Bills: Keep all receipts and bills related to medical care for conditions linked to Mounjaro use. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and any necessary treatments for complications.
  • Insurance Claims: Collect documentation of insurance claims submitted for treatments related to your symptoms.

Potential Compensation You Could Receive

If you decide to pursue a lawsuit against Eli Lilly regarding Mounjaro, you may be eligible for various types of compensation:

  • Medical Expenses: You can recover costs related to medical treatment for conditions caused by Mounjaro, including hospital bills, outpatient care, medications, and rehabilitation services.
  • Lost Wages: If your condition has forced you to miss work or reduced your ability to earn income, you may claim lost wages. Document any time off work due to illness and provide proof of your earnings.
  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your condition. This can include chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or diminished quality of life.
  • Future Medical Care: If ongoing medical treatment is anticipated due to complications from Mounjaro use (such as managing gastroparesis), you may seek compensation for future medical expenses. Estimates from healthcare providers regarding ongoing care will be beneficial.
  • Loss of Quality of Life: You may also pursue damages related to a diminished quality of life. This includes the impact on personal relationships, daily activities, and overall enjoyment of life due to health complications.

Gathering thorough documentation is essential for building a strong case in the Mounjaro lawsuit. Compiling medical records, prescription histories, symptom documentation, and expense tracking will enhance your chances of securing compensation for the damages incurred.

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FAQs

Can Mounjaro cause other digestive issues besides stomach paralysis?

Yes, in addition to stomach paralysis, Mounjaro can cause other digestive issues such as severe constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms should be monitored closely and discussed with a healthcare provider.

What should I do if I suspect Mounjaro caused my stomach paralysis?

If you suspect that Mounjaro has caused stomach paralysis, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Documenting your symptoms and medical history can be helpful when consulting with a lawyer to explore legal options.

Is there any treatment for stomach paralysis caused by Mounjaro?

Treatment for stomach paralysis, or gastroparesis, typically includes dietary changes, medications to stimulate stomach muscles, and sometimes surgery. The specific treatment plan will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual’s health.

What is stomach paralysis?

Stomach paralysis, or gastroparesis, occurs when the stomach cannot empty food normally. In most people, the digestive tract muscles use contractions to move the food along; however, in patients with gastroparesis, damaged muscles and nerves that control the movement don’t function correctly.

How long does it take for stomach paralysis symptoms to appear after taking Mounjaro?

Symptoms of stomach paralysis may develop gradually over time after starting Mounjaro. It could take weeks or even months for symptoms to become noticeable, so ongoing monitoring is essential.

See all related dangerous drug lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get a Free Mounjaro Stomach Paralysis Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Mounjaro Stomach Paralysis Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting lawsuits in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one suffered from stomach paralysis or another injury after taking Mounjaro or another weight loss medication, you should contact our law firm immediately. Consumers may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit, and our lawyers can help you receive fair compensation.

Reference:

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6874806/#:~:text=Gastroparesis%20is%20defined%20by%20a,obstruction%20of%20the%20gastric%20outlet.&text=Cardinal%20symptoms%20include%20post%2Dprandial,symptom%20in%20this%20disease2.
  2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss

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