Semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, is a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It has been used as a treatment for long-term weight management. While it has taken the world by storm because of its effectiveness and its side effect of supporting weight loss, many people have been prescribed this medication. Yet, there are some semaglutide (Ozempic) lawsuits out there.
While no class action legal case is pending yet, there are many legal entities preparing for them based on the effects that this medication has caused. Talk to a Las Vegas medical lawsuit attorney from Bighorn Law today about your case.
Why Are Lawsuits for Semaglutide Occurring?
There are numerous potential side effects to taking this medication. One of the most common being referred to in numerous lawsuits is gastroparesis. This severe, life-threatening condition causes food particles to move through the body’s digestive system at a very slow pace. In some situations, the food stops moving and can, over time, cause blockages that result in serious illness and pain. The delay in food moving from the stomach into the small intensity, which is sometimes called delayed gastric emptying, can lead to infections.
On top of gastroparesis, patients taking Ozempic have complained of having gallbladder issues such as gallstones and acute gallbladder disease, in some cases leading to the removal of the gallbladder, according to a letter published in the JAMA Internal Medicine. The data comes from a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
The data from the FDA found that patients who use Ozempic for an extended time were more susceptible to suffering problems with their gallbladders, specifically acute cholecystitis. The most common symptom of acute gallbladder disease is sudden inflammation of the organ, which occurs when gallstones block the tube that leaves it. Acute gallbladder disease can only be treated in the hospital and often results in its removal.
Those who have suffered these conditions or other complications from using semaglutide have sought legal action against the makers of it, including Novo Nordisk, the original manufacturer of the medication. They claim that they were not informed of this risk, and as such, the company did not provide a safe product for use.
What Could a Claim Like This Mean?
If a person suffers an injury as the result of a preventable incident, it may be necessary for the manufacturer to pay for the losses that the individual suffered. In this situation, the claim may be that the manufacturer should have warned of this risk or should have discovered this risk in its research. The lawsuits could claim, for example, that the company exposed the individual to unnecessary risk.
Should a claim like this become successful, it may mean that the manufacturer is held responsible for all losses the individual suffered, such as:
- Emergency medical care
- Procedures related to the treatment of the complications
- Lost time at work
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Support for recovery from emotional distress
What Should You Do If You Take Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is sold under a number of brand names, including:
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Rybelsus
These medications are in a classification called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs. If you are taking any of these medications, do not stop taking them suddenly. Consult your doctor as the first step.
If you have suffered complications related to gastrointestinal distress, especially if this has sent you to the hospital for care, it is best to discuss this with your doctor and then your attorney.
At Bighorn Law, we help clients with a range of product liability matters, including medication failures like this. Semaglutide (Ozempic) lawsuits could occur soon. If you believe you have a case, set up a free consultation by calling us now.