Weight loss injections like Zepbound (tirzepatide) have surged in popularity throughout the United States in recent years. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 Americans have used medications like Zepbound and Mounjaro to lose excess weight and manage their type 2 diabetes. This explains the high demand for tirzepatide and similar GLP-1 agonists throughout the state of Georgia.

Recent reports suggest that taking Zepbound could lead to more pronounced weight loss than taking Ozempic or Wegovy (semaglutide), but success isn’t the whole picture. There are numerous patients on these medications who have developed serious side effects and even life-threatening medical complications. You may face health risks even if you follow your doctor’s orders carefully.

If you experienced serious gastrointestinal problems after taking Zepbound and live in the greater Atlanta area, our lawyers can help you file a tirzepatide lawsuit. The attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for a legal claim during a free case review.


 

About Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

Zepbound is the brand name of an injectable tirzepatide medication that was developed to promote weight loss and treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common comorbidity of obesity. Zepbound is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

Zepbound received FDA approval for weight management in 2023. The drug received FDA approval for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in 2024.

Mounjaro is another well-known tirzepatide manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. However, Mounjaro is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes rather than manage weight.

How Zepbound and Other Tirzepatide Medications Work

Zepbound is both a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist).

GIP and GLP-1 are hormones that naturally occur in the human body and help regulate blood sugar and feelings of satiety. A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist mimics these hormones, which lowers blood sugar levels, slows down the overall digestive process, and helps people feel satiated for longer periods of time during the day.

In simpler terms, Zepbound helps patients feel full for a much longer amount of time. Doing so prevents GIP/GLP-1 patients from consuming more calories throughout the day. Combining tirzepatide with exercise and other healthy habits can lead to dramatic weight loss and other health benefits.

Drugs That Are Similar to Zepbound

Even though Zepbound is increasing in popularity and name recognition, many people use the competitor brand name “Ozempic” as a catch-all term for GIP and GLP-1 drugs that treat diabetes or obesity. However, there are many different brand names for these medications, and not all of these drugs are a semaglutide like Ozempic. Regardless, these semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide medications function much the same way as Zepbound.

People in the Atlanta area may recognize these other popular brand names for modern diabetes and 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)
  • Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

If you took any of the above prescription medications and suffered from serious health complications, the attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help. Our law firm can represent Atlanta patients in Zepbound lawsuits that involve the GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 drugs listed above.

Common Side Effects from Taking Zepbound

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

While mildly disruptive to daily routines, these side effects are considered normal while on Zepbound and are generally tolerable to most patients.

How Long Do The Common Zepbound Side Effects Last?

Usually two to six weeks, though it can vary from patient to patient.

In most cases, these minor Zepbound side effects are common when patients start taking their tirzepatide injections. The side effects typically subside as the patient’s body gets accustomed to taking tirzepatide and their body adjusts to the regular dosage.

If these mild Zepbound side effects persist for a long period of time or get worse, it’s important to consult your doctor about the best course of action. They can provide information on how to manage your side effects and additional advice on your health matters.

Serious Health Complications Linked to Zepbound Use

Some Zepbound patients in the Atlanta area have experienced serious side effects and health complications from taking their medication as directed. Some health 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 issues.

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

Gastrointestinal Health Problems Linked to Zepbound Use

In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones noted above, some Zepbound 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 tirzepatide, some patients vomit several times a day for two weeks or more. Frequent bouts of vomiting can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, irritation, and injuries to the esophagus, acidic erosion of the tooth enamel, root canal infection, and tooth loss.
  • Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is a condition in which the nerves and muscles of the stomach fail to push food into the small intestine to continue the digestive process. 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 serious health problems.
  • Intestinal Obstruction – An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine or part of the large intestine. Intestinal obstructions disrupt 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 affecting the small intestine, an untreated blockage in the bowel could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis.

If a person on tirzepatide develops any of these gastrointestinal complications, they need immediate hospitalization and emergency medical care. In extreme cases of intestinal or bowel obstruction, a Zepbound patient may need an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. These severe GI problems could prove fatal without prompt intervention by medical professionals.

How Common Are These Serious Health Issues Among Zepbound Patients?

Thankfully, the tirzepatide-related gastrointestinal complications detailed above are rare. Many patients who have been prescribed Zepbound have not required hospitalization or medical treatment to address the side effects they’ve experienced while using tirzepatide injections.

However, there are patients in Georgia and the Atlanta area who have experienced serious side effects from Zepbound 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 whose health has been negatively affected by taking tirzepatide and similar diabetes and weight loss medications as directed.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Gastrointestinal Problems

If you are concerned that Zepbound or another weight loss drug has caused a serious health issue, there are several common warning signs of severe GI issues. These are the most common symptoms of the medical complications we have 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
  • Difficulty passing gas

What to Do If You Experience Gastrointestinal Complications from Zepbound Use

If you have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, seek immediate medical attention. Do not delay. As noted, severe complications of 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 Atlanta Zepbound lawsuit lawyers for a free case evaluation.

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

Potentially, yes. If your gastrointestinal system and general health were adversely affected by taking Zepbound, you may be eligible to receive compensation from Eli Lilly and Company.

While Eli Lilly and Company provides warning labels about common side effects of their tirzepatide medications, their labels may not have provided adequate warnings about severe health risks such as stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, bowel obstruction, or frequent and excessive vomiting.

Had people been warned about the severity of these rare health complications, they might not have started taking Zepbound in the first place.

Eligibility to File a Zepbound Lawsuit in Atlanta, GA

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

It’s important to speak with our Atlanta Zepbound lawsuit lawyers as soon as possible about your case. 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 damages from Eli Lilly and Company in a legal action.

How Much Can I Win in a Zepbound 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 Zepbound and your subsequent medical problems. Because of the variables involved, we cannot provide an estimate 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 Zepbound and what that could mean for the value of your legal claim.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Zepbound 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 Zepbound Lawsuit in Atlanta?

If you or someone you care about has experienced severe medical complications after taking tirzepatide injections, contact our Zepbound lawyers serving Atlanta about filing a lawsuit. Our Zepbound injury 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.

 

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