Alleged Side Effects of Ozempic and Wegovy: New Lawsuit Exposes Potential Risks

Millions of Americans have turned to prescription weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, hoping to shed unwanted pounds and manage their diabetes. However, a recent lawsuit filed by plaintiff Juanita Gantt serves as a stark reminder that these drugs may carry hidden dangers that patients and healthcare providers should be aware of. Gantt’s harrowing experience, which landed her in the hospital and left her with life-altering health problems, has prompted her to take legal action against the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk.

Juanita Gantt’s Medical Emergency

Despite trying various diets throughout her life, 62-year-old Juanita Gantt had always struggled with her weight. Aware of the increased risk of diabetes in her family, Gantt sought medical help and was prescribed the GLP-1 drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, both manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Initially, Gantt felt that she was making progress, reporting a reduction in appetite and cravings. “I was feeling fine. I enjoyed the days that I didn’t have to worry about my appetite. I didn’t have cravings. I just felt like I was doing something positive for myself,” she recounted to CBS News.

However, Gantt’s positive experience took a dramatic turn in October 2023. Her husband found her unconscious on the floor, and when she was rushed to the hospital, doctors made a startling discovery: parts of her large intestine had died and needed to be removed. During her recovery, Gantt went into cardiac arrest, prompting the hospital to call her daughter with the grim news that her mother’s life was in jeopardy. Sadly, Gantt’s traumatic ordeal did not end there. With her colon removed, she now lives with an ileostomy bag attached to her abdomen at all times to collect her waste. “I had no warning that this was even a possibility,” she says.

Alleged Lack of Adequate Warnings

In her lawsuit, Gantt alleges that Novo Nordisk failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the potential for serious side effects allegedly associated with Ozempic and Wegovy. Both drugs contain the active ingredient semaglutide and they work in similar ways, but Ozempic is approved for diabetes management and Wegovy is approved for weight loss. 

“[Novo Nordisk has] put a lot of resources into marketing the drug, hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the market [and] get new patients for the drug, but it hasn’t spent that money on warning patients of the risk of gastroparesis, ileus, small bowel obstruction, and the fact that these injuries can be severe, even if it’s in a rare case,” her attorney says.

Possible Increased Risk of Complications with GLP-1 Drugs

Approximately 15 million U.S. adults have used injectable prescription drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, to aid in weight reduction. While some healthcare professionals consider these GLP-1 drugs to be “game changers” in the treatment of obesity and diabetes, they also acknowledge the potential risks associated with their use.

A study published in October 2023 found a higher risk of bowel obstruction and stomach paralysis for patients taking certain GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, compared to those using another weight loss drug combination. “Given the wide use of these drugs, these adverse events, although rare, must be considered by patients who are contemplating using the drugs for weight loss because the risk-benefit calculus for this group might differ from that of those who use them for diabetes,” the study authors wrote.

The Growing Number of Ozempic and Wegovy Lawsuits

Gantt’s lawsuit against Novo Nordisk is not an isolated incident. The pharmaceutical company is facing multiple lawsuits from individuals who have allegedly experienced severe side effects while taking Ozempic and Wegovy. These legal challenges, coupled with increased regulatory scrutiny, could potentially prompt the company to re-evaluate its labeling and marketing practices to ensure that patients are adequately informed of the alleged risks associated with these medications.

While GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may help some patients dealing with obesity and/or diabetes, Juanita Gantt’s lawsuit and others highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of their potential risks and benefits.