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Weight Loss Drug Manufacturers Sued Over "Stomach Paralysis" Side Effects
A personal injury lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co., the manufacturers of Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), alleging that the type 2 diabetes medications, which are also popular for weight loss, can cause gastroparesis, according to CBS News [1.].
The case was filed on August 2, 2023, on behalf of a 44-year-old Louisiana woman who took both Ozempic and Mounjaro at the discretion of her doctor. Soon after being prescribed the drugs, the woman developed stomach problems so severe that she was admitted to an emergency room multiple times, and threw up so violently that she lost her teeth, according to the lawsuit.
The claim is based on a failure to warn on the part of Novo and Lilly, and Plaintiff is seeking unspecified financial compensation. Hundreds of other similar claims alleging injuries from these weight-loss drugs are currently being investigated across the United States, according to CBS.
GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Diabetes Drugs and Weight Loss
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists are a class of type 2 diabetes drugs that are marketed as not only having the ability to improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes but also to assist with weight loss in overweight individuals.
GLP-1 agonists are thought to work by mimicking the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1. When blood sugar levels rise after a person eats, these drugs stimulate the body to produce more insulin. The extra insulin helps lower blood sugar levels.
Medications in the GLP-1 agonist class include:
- Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
- Exenatide extended-release (Bydureon base)
- Exenatide (Byetta)
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)
- Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
- Lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
- Semaglutide (Rybelsus)
What is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis, which literally means paralysis of the stomach, is a functional neurological disorder (FND) that affects the stomach nerves and muscles. The condition makes the normal stomach muscle contractions weaker and slower than they need to be to digest your food and pass it on to the intestines. This causes food to sit too long in the stomach.
Stomach Paralysis Symptoms
- Feeling full soon after starting a meal
- Feeling full long after eating a meal
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Too much bloating
- Too much belching
- Pain in your upper abdomen
- Heartburn
- Poor appetite
How Can Weight Loss Drugs Cause Stomach Paralysis?
GLP-1 agonists stimulate insulin secretion from β cells in a group of pancreatic cells known as the islets of Langerhans. Studies have found that infusion of GLP-1 results in slowing of gastric emptying and increased fasting and postprandial gastric volumes. Retardation of gastric emptying reduces the glucose concentration in the bloodstream following a meal.
Complications of Gastroparesis
If stomach paralysis goes untreated, food tends to remain in the stomach far longer than it should. This can lead to bacterial overgrowth from the fermentation of food. The food can also harden into a bezoar, which is a tightly packed collection of partially digested material that can lead to obstruction in the gut, nausea and severe vomiting, and reflux symptoms.
People Who Took Weight Loss Drugs Claim Their Stomachs Were Paralyzed: CNN Video
Other Side Effects of Weight Loss Drugs
In addition to potentially causing gastroparesis/stomach paralysis, other side effects of weight-loss drugs from the GLP-1 agonist class may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nasal passages and pharynx)
What Should I Do if I've Been Injured by a Weight-Loss Drug?
If you believe that you've been injured by one of the diabetes / weight-loss drugs listed in this article, you should seek immediate medical treatment for your symptoms. Your next step is to take action to protect your legal rights by consulting an experienced attorney who specializes in weight-loss drug stomach paralysis lawsuits. Fill out the contact form below for a free case evaluation.
Please Note: There may be a statute of limitations (SOL) that specifies the time you have to file a lawsuit. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss any deadlines. Otherwise, you may be barred from pursuing compensation for your injuries.
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Get a Free Weight Loss Drug 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 Weight Loss Drug 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 a 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.
