Weight loss injections like Saxenda (liraglutide) have surged in popularity all over the county, which is no surprise given the obesity epidemic in America. Doctors throughout the U.S. have prescribed these GLP-1 medications to help people manage their type 2 diabetes and lose excess weight. In the case of liraglutide, some of the patients on the injection are as young as 10 years old. The demand for these medications remains extremely high—some reports estimate that 1 out of every 8 Americans have used Saxenda or a similar GLP-1 agonist.

While many adults and minors have achieved success from using Saxenda, this isn’t the case for all patients. There are other Saxenda patients out there who’ve developed severe side effects and health complications from taking liraglutide. Even when patients follow instructions to the letter and heed their doctor’s advice, it’s possible to experience life-threatening health complications from taking Saxenda.

If you experienced serious medical problems after taking liraglutide in Atlanta, our attorneys can help you file a Saxenda lawsuit. The lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for a legal claim during a free case review.


 

About Saxenda (Liraglutide)

Saxenda is the brand name of an injectable liraglutide medication developed to treat obesity. It is manufactured by Novo Nordisk.

Saxenda received FDA approval for chronic weight management in 2014. In 2020, the FDA approved the use of Saxenda for treating obesity in children as young as 12 years old.

Novo Nordisk also makes Victoza, an injectable liraglutide used to treat type 2 diabetes in patients as young as 10 years old.

How Saxenda and Other Liraglutides Work

Saxenda is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1, or sometimes GLP-1 RA).

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of satiety. GLP-1 agonists mimic this hormone, which improves blood sugar levels, slows the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine during digestion, and helps people feel satiated.

In other words, Saxenda helps you feel full for a longer amount of time, which prevents you from consuming more calories throughout the day.

Drugs That Are Similar to Saxenda

Even though Saxenda has been around for many years, many people refer to GLP-1 drugs and similar medications as “Ozempic.” In truth, Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide, another type of GLP-1 agonist. Regardless of the terminology used by many consumers, these tirzepatide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide medications function much the same way as Saxenda.

People in the Atlanta area may recognize these other popular brand names for modern weight loss drugs that are in high demand:

  • Ozempic (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
  • Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
  • Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

If you took any of the above prescription drugs and suffered major health complications, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help. Our law firm can represent Metro Atlanta clients in Saxenda lawsuits or legal actions that involve the GLP-1 products listed above.

Common Side Effects from Taking Saxenda

It’s common for Saxenda patients to experience mild and temporary side effects when initially taking the drug. These minor side effects include a lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

These common Saxenda side effects can be mildly disruptive to daily routines. However, they are considered normal while on Saxenda and are generally tolerable to most patients.

How Long Do The Common Saxenda Side Effects Last?

Generally two to six weeks, though results may vary from patient to patient.

In many cases, these minor side effects are common when patients start using liraglutide injections. The side effects typically subside over time as the patient gets used to taking the medication and their body adjusts to the dosage.

If mild side effects of Saxenda persist for a long period of time or get worse, it’s important to consult your doctor about the best course of action.

Serious Health Complications Linked to Saxenda

Some Atlanta Saxenda patients have experienced serious side effects and health complications even though they took their liraglutide injections as directed. Some of the medical issues linked to the use of GLP-1 drugs and dual GIP/GLP-1 medications include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney disease, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal health problems.

When discussing Saxenda with a doctor, patients are urged to share their medical history in detail, including any past health issues or a family history of certain medical problems.

Gastrointestinal Health Problems Linked to Saxenda Use

In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones highlighted above, Saxenda patients have also suffered from the following serious gastrointestinal issues:

  • Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – While nausea and some vomiting are normal side effects when taking Saxenda, some patients vomit several times a day for two weeks or more. Frequent bouts of vomiting can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, irritation and injury to the esophagus, acidic erosion of the tooth enamel, and tooth loss.
  • Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is a condition in which the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not push food into the small intestine for further digestion. If gastroparesis is not treated, it could contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass inside the stomach), and a host of other health problems.
  • Intestinal Obstruction – An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine or part of the large intestine. Intestinal obstructions prevent food from traveling through a person’s GI tract for digestion and excretion. If an intestinal obstruction is not treated, it could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
  • Bowel Obstruction – Bowel obstructions are intestinal blockages that affect the large intestine and colon. Like obstructions of the small intestine, an untreated blockage in the bowel could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis.

If a person on Saxenda develops any of these gastrointestinal complications, they need immediate hospitalization and emergency medical care. In extreme cases of intestinal or bowel obstruction, a person may need surgery and be reliant on the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. These GI health problems could be fatal without urgent medical attention.

How Common Are These Serious Health Issues from Saxenda Use?

Thankfully, the gastrointestinal complications listed above are rare. Many patients who have been prescribed liraglutide have not required hospitalization or medical treatment to address the side effects they’ve experienced while on a GLP-1.

However, there are patients in Atlanta who have experienced serious side effects from Saxenda even though they followed instructions to the letter. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to provide legal information and support to these people who’ve been adversely affected from taking liraglutide and similar diabetes and weight loss medications as directed.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Gastrointestinal Problems

If you are concerned that Saxenda or another liraglutide has caused a serious health issue, there are warning signs of GI issues. These are the most common symptoms of the medical complications we described above:

  • Frequent nausea
  • Excessive vomiting
  • Acid reflux (GERD)
  • Severe abdominal discomfort
  • Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lack of bowel movements

What to Do If You Experience Gastrointestinal Complications from Saxenda Use

If you or a family member have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, seek immediate medical attention. Do not delay. As we’ve noted, severe complications affecting the GI tract could prove fatal if they are not dealt with in a timely manner.

When you are well enough to do so, we encourage you to reach out to our Saxenda lawsuit lawyers serving Atlanta for a free case evaluation.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Health Problems Related to Saxenda Use?

Yes, you could potentially file a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk if your health or a family member’s health was negatively impacted from taking Saxenda.

While Novo Nordisk includes warning labels about common side effects of their prescription weight loss injections, the language on the label may not have provided adequate warnings about severe health risks such as stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, bowel obstruction, or frequent and excessive vomiting.

Had patients or their parents been sufficiently warned about the possibility and severity of these rare complications, they might not have taken Saxenda in the first place.

Eligibility to File a Saxenda Lawsuit in Atlanta, GA

You may qualify for a liraglutide lawsuit if you were prescribed Saxenda and suffered serious health complications as a result. However, the presence of certain medical conditions, past surgical procedures, or other health factors could block you from seeking compensation through legal action.

It’s important to speak with our Atlanta Saxenda lawsuit lawyers as soon as possible. Our experienced team of attorneys can discuss what happened to you, the severity of your medical condition, and determine if you are eligible to seek compensation from Novo Nordisk in a legal action.

How Much Can I Win in a Saxenda Lawsuit?

This will vary from patient to patient and depends on a variety of factors. The total amount of damages you could receive will be unique to your experiences while taking Mounjaro and your subsequent medical problems. Because of the variables involved,  our lawyers cannot provide an estimate of damages without first reviewing your case.

As part of the free case evaluation, our tirzepatide lawsuit attorneys can discuss the physical harm, lasting difficulties, and financial losses you experienced from taking Mounjaro and what that could mean for the value of your legal claim.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Saxenda Lawsuit

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are nationwide leaders in complex, high-stakes litigation. Since 2008, our law firm has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in large lawsuits. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

With law offices in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, our firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

In addition to offering free case evaluations, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our attorneys anything unless we can recover money for you.

How Can I Learn More About Filing a Saxenda Lawsuit?

If you or someone you care about has experienced severe medical complications after taking liraglutide drugs, contact our Saxenda lawyers serving Metro Atlanta about filing a lawsuit. Our GLP-1 attorneys can determine if you qualify for a lawsuit during a free case review.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

GLP-1 Lawsuit