Ozempic makers face $2 billion lawsuit over severe health complications
Novo Nordisk is facing over 2,000 U.S. lawsuits alleging failure to warn patients and doctors about severe risks including stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, vision loss, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and kidney damage.
Over 2,000 lawsuits have now been filed against Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, alleging that the company failed to adequately warn users and doctors about the risk of severe side effects. Legal analysts estimate the total liability could exceed $2 billion due to the scale and severity of the reported injuries.
Key allegations in the lawsuit:
Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis): This is the most common claim in the lawsuits. Plaintiffs allege that Ozempic and other similar GLP-1 drugs cause delayed stomach emptying, leading to chronic nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and severe dehydration. Gastroparesis is often incurable, and some patients have been hospitalized and required feeding tubes.
Intestinal Blockage (Ileus): Lawsuits claim that the drugs can cause the intestines to stop working properly, leading to blockages that may require emergency surgery. In September 2023, the FDA added a warning for ileus to Ozempic’s label based on post-market reports.
Vision Loss (NAION): A growing number of lawsuits include claims of vision damage, specifically Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). Research studies have indicated a potential link between semaglutide and this condition, which can cause sudden and irreversible vision loss.
Other complications: Plaintiffs also report a range of other serious health issues, including gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and kidney damage.
Failure to Warn: The central claim is that Novo Nordisk failed to adequately inform patients and healthcare providers about these severe risks, particularly as Ozempic’s off-label use for weight loss grew. Plaintiffs allege that marketing promoted the drug’s benefits while downplaying or omitting warnings about its potential dangers.
Source: The Farmacy Real
