A Closer Look at the Dangers of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Study

The blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, has been touted as a game-changer in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, but its meteoric rise has been marred by a growing number of concerning side effects that have led to a surge of lawsuits against the company. Recent data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) has shed light on the alarming number of health problems associated with Ozempic and similar glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). A recent study revealed that the FDA has received nearly 300,000 adverse event reports linked to this class of medications over the last 19 years.

Potential Adverse Health Effects Linked to GLP-1 RA Drugs

Over the past several years, there have been increasing concerns about the potentially serious health risks associated with GLP-1 RA medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have become some of the best-selling prescription drugs on the market. In this new study, published last week in the journal Cureus, researchers discovered that federal regulators have received thousands of adverse event reports involving health issues linked to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and similar medications from the same GLP-1 RA class.

Reviewing incidents submitted to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), the researchers discovered that the FDA has received nearly 300,000 adverse event reports linked to GLP-1 RA medications over the last 19 years. According to the researchers, newer drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are associated with higher rates of serious side effects, particularly among younger patients and women, while older GLP-1 RAs, such as Victoza and Byetta, were linked to higher rates of mortality.

The Rise of Ozempic as a Diabetes Treatment and Its Growing Off-Label Use

Ozempic was initially approved by the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, its potential for weight loss quickly made it a popular off-label choice for individuals seeking to manage their weight. Aggressive marketing by Novo Nordisk, which highlighted Ozempic’s weight-loss benefits, further fueled its widespread adoption, transforming it into a blockbuster treatment used by millions of Americans.

In response to the growing demand for Ozempic, Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy, a higher-dose version of semaglutide specifically approved for weight management. Similarly, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), another GLP-1 RA, received FDA approval in 2022 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and its weight loss counterpart, Zepbound, was approved shortly thereafter.

Ozempic Linked to Gastroparesis and Vision Loss Side Effects

As the use of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 RAs has skyrocketed in the U.S., a growing body of evidence has linked these medications to a range of potentially serious side effects, including gastroparesis and vision loss.

Gastroparesis: A Paralyzed Stomach

Gastroparesis, a condition characterized by a weakened or paralyzed stomach, has emerged as a particularly concerning side effect of Ozempic and other GLP-1 RAs. This debilitating disorder can cause severe vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and malnutrition, as food remains trapped in the stomach instead of moving into the small intestine.

Lawsuits filed against Novo Nordisk allege that the company failed to adequately warn patients about the risk of gastroparesis, a condition that can be chronic and irreversible. Plaintiffs in Ozempic lawsuits claim to have experienced prolonged vomiting, hospitalization, and even the loss of teeth due to the severity of their stomach issues after taking the medication.

Vision Loss: The Alarming Link to NAION

In addition to gastroparesis, Ozempic and other medications containing semaglutide have been linked to an increased risk of a rare eye condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This vision-threatening disorder occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is disrupted, leading to sudden and often permanent vision loss.

A 2024 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that patients with type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide-based drugs had more than a four-fold higher risk of developing NAION, while overweight individuals using these medications had an even greater, more than seven-fold, increased risk. As a result, lawyers are now investigating potential Ozempic vision loss lawsuits on behalf of affected individuals.

Lawsuits Allege Serious Health Problems from Ozempic Use

As the number of individuals reporting serious side effects from Ozempic and other GLP-1 RAs continues to grow, a wave of product liability lawsuits has been filed against Novo Nordisk and other drug makers. These lawsuits allege that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the potential risks associated with these medications.

In August 2023, Jaclyn Bjorklund became one of the first individuals to file an Ozempic lawsuit, which also named Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro as a defendant. Bjorklund’s complaint describes her harrowing experience with severe vomiting, hospitalization, and the loss of teeth allegedly due to the effects of these drugs on her gastrointestinal system.

The Ozempic litigation has since been centralized in federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where attorneys are working to coordinate discovery and prepare for potential bellwether trials. As the legal proceedings unfold, it is expected that more individuals who have allegedly suffered from Ozempic-related injuries will come forward to seek justice and compensation.

The Importance of Transparency and Patient Safety

The growing number of Ozempic lawsuits against Novo Nordisk highlights the critical importance of pharmaceutical companies prioritizing patient safety and providing transparent, comprehensive information about the potential risks associated with their products. By failing to adequately warn about the dangers of gastroparesis, vision loss, and other potential health risks, Novo Nordisk and other GLP-1 RA manufacturers may have jeopardized the well-being of countless individuals who trusted these medications to improve their health.