Medications like Zepbound (tirzepatide) have been a game-changer for many people who struggle with their weight. The weight loss injection is just one of many popular drugs that have taken the country by storm. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 Americans have tried Zepbound or a similar drug. That means you’ve likely tried Zepbound yourself or know someone in the Metroplex who’s taken Zepbound.

Yet the popularity of these medications isn’t the whole story. Many Zepbound patients have experienced serious side effects from taking tirzepatide. Some of these patients even developed severe medical issues that affected their gastrointestinal tract; some of the GI complications were life-threatening and required surgery or other kinds of emergency treatment.

If you were diagnosed with severe gastrointestinal health problems after taking Zepbound or a similar prescription GLP-1 drug, our lawyers serving Dallas-Fort Worth can help you file a lawsuit. The Zepbound attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for compensation in a free consultation.


 

About Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

Zepbound is the brand name of an injectable tirzepatide drug that was created to treat patients with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common obesity comorbidity. Zepbound is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

Zepbound received FDA approval for weight management in 2023. The medication received FDA approval to treat OSA in 2024.

Eli Lilly and Company also makes another tirzepatide medication under the brand name Mounjaro. Mounjaro is designed to help patients manage their type 2 diabetes.

How Do Zepbound and Other Tirzepatides Work?

Zepbound is a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist). GIP and GLP-1 are both naturally occurring hormones that help regulate blood sugar and feelings of satiety.

Tirzepatide injections mimic these two hormones, which leads to better blood sugar levels, slower digestion, and feelings of satiety.

To put this another way, Zepbound lowers your blood sugar and also reduces feelings of hunger throughout the day. Since you feel full for long stretches of time, you’re less likely to snack or overeat. That means consuming fewer calories each day, which leads to weight loss.

How Are GIP/GLP-1s Different from GLP-1s?

Even though tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist, it essentially functions just like a GLP-1 medication.

Patients who take Zepbound or a GLP-1 like Ozempic will experience the same benefits: regulation of blood sugar, slowed down digestion, and reduced feelings of hunger throughout the day.

What Drugs Are Similar to Zepbound?

Zepbound is not quite a household name, though it's been gaining in recognition after a study found it can lead to more pronounced weight loss than Wegovy and Ozempic. Still, many people use the brand name “Ozempic” as a catch-all for various weight loss and diabetes injectables that are in high demand. Zepbound functions much like the various semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide injectables currently on the market.

People throughout Dallas-Fort Worth may recognize the following brand names of diabetes and weight loss drugs that are similar to Zepbound:

  • 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)

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can represent Dallas-Fort Worth Zepbound patients in lawsuits if they took any of the medications listed above and were diagnosed with major complications that affected their gastrointestinal health.

Common Side Effects of Zepbound

Patients will often experience mild and temporary side effects when using Zepbound. These minor side effects include:

  • Reduced appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness

These minor side effects are most common when patients begin taking Zepbound injections. The side effects typically subside as the patient gets used to taking the tirzepatide and their body adjusts to the GIP/GLP-1 dosage.

How Long Do These Common Zepbound Side Effects Last?

Minor Zepbound side effects are most pronounced in the first two to six weeks of starting tirzepatide treatment. Once this initial month and a half is over, the side effects will usually subside or become more tolerable.

If your Zepbound side effects do not improve after six weeks or get worse, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible. They will let you know what steps to take next.

 

Serious Health Complications Linked to Zepbound

Some Dallas-Fort Worth Zepbound patients have experienced serious side effects and medical complications even though they took their tirzepatide injections as directed. Some of the 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 problems.

When discussing Zepbound with a doctor, patients are encouraged 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 Zepbound Use

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

  • Severe and Prolonged Bouts of Vomiting – Occasional nausea and vomiting while on Zepbound is normal. Yet some Zepbound patients report vomiting several times a day for two weeks or more. Constantly vomiting like this can lead to malnutrition, severe dehydration, damage to the esophagus, erosion of the tooth enamel, and tooth loss.
  • Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Gastroparesis is a condition in which the muscles and nerves of the stomach do not push food from the stomach into the small intestine to continue the digestive process. If stomach paralysis is not treated, it can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a hard mass in the stomach (a bezoar), and many other health complications.
  • Intestinal Obstructions – Blockage of the small intestine and portions of the large intestine needs to be taken seriously. An intestinal obstruction prevents food from moving through the GI tract as it normally would. This can lead to severe pain, death of the surrounding intestinal tissues, and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
  • Bowel Obstruction – Like intestinal obstructions, a blockage of the large intestine or colon can lead to major health emergencies. An obstructed bowel that is not treated in time can cause tissue death, peritonitis, or even sepsis.

If you are concerned that you could experience one of the GI health problems above after taking Zepbound, you need to speak with your doctor about your medical care options.

In extreme cases of intestinal obstruction and bowel blockage, the Zepbound patient may require the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. Additionally, these gastrointestinal conditions could be fatal if patients do not receive proper medical attention.

How Common Are These Serious Health Issues from Zepbound Use?

Thankfully, severe gastrointestinal complications related to Zepbound use are rare. Many tirzepatide patients do not require hospitalization to treat GI problems and instead just experience the more common side effects of the drug.

That said, many GIP/GLP-1 patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have experienced serious gastrointestinal problems from taking drugs like Zepbound. Even Metroplex patients who carefully followed their doctor’s orders came down with these severe GI health issues.

The attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are here to provide legal guidance and support to people who’ve been adversely affected by taking Zepbound as directed.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Serious Gastrointestinal Complications

If you have concerns about the severe GI health complications that we’ve noted above, there are numerous warning signs of these conditions that you should be aware of. Here are the most common symptoms of the major gastrointestinal problems associated with Zepbound use:

  • 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 Zepbound Use

If you have experienced any of the GI warning signs that we’ve listed above, seek medical attention ASAP. Do not delay. As we’ve mentioned, severe medical complications that affect the gastrointestinal tract could be fatal if they are not treated immediately.

After you’ve received medical attention, you will likely have questions about seeking legal compensation from Eli Lilly and Company. When you’ve recovered and are well enough to do so, we encourage you to contact our Zepbound lawsuit attorneys serving Dallas-Fort Worth for a free consultation.

Can I File a Lawsuit for GI Problems Linked to Zepbound Use?

Yes. If your gastrointestinal health was negatively affected after taking Zepbound, you can potentially file a legal claim against Eli Lilly and Company.

While Eli Lilly and Company has warning labels about the most common side effects of their GIP/GLP-1 medications, the language on these labels may not have provided adequate warnings about serious GI health risks such as stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, bowel obstruction, or frequent and excessive vomiting.

Had Zepbound patients been sufficiently warned about the potential dangers of these rare medical complications, they might not have started GIP/GLP-1 injections and instead asked about safer alternatives.

Who Is Eligible to File a Zepbound Lawsuit in Dallas-Fort Worth?

You may qualify for a Zepbound claim if you were prescribed tirzepatide and suffered serious medical complications that affected your gastrointestinal system as a result.

Keep in mind that a history of certain medical conditions, past surgical procedures, or other health factors could block you from seeking compensation through legal action.

Given all of the variables that can affect your eligibility for a GIP/GLP-1 claim, your best option is to speak with our Dallas-Fort Worth Zepbound lawsuit lawyers about what happened so we can determine if you qualify for a legal claim. Our experienced attorneys will review the details of your case, discuss the severity of your gastrointestinal complications, and let you know if you can file a legal claim against Eli Lilly and Company for compensation.

How Much Can I Win If I File a Zepbound Lawsuit?

The amount secured from a Zepbound claim will vary from person to person. Many variables need to be considered, so an estimate cannot be provided until our attorneys have an opportunity to evaluate your claim in a free case review.

The potential damages you could receive in a legal claim will depend on what you suffered while taking Zepbound. You may be compensated for medical bills, lost wages, lost future earnings, and the lasting effects your gastrointestinal health issues have had on your quality of life.

During your free case evaluation, our Zepbound lawsuit attorneys can review the harm you experienced, its long-term effects on your life and livelihood, and other financial losses. We can also help you understand how your circumstances will determine the value of your Zepbound claim.

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

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are nationwide leaders in high-stakes complex litigation. Since 2008, our law firm has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in major 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 attorneys have represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Zepbound Attorney?

At Bursor & Fisher, P.A., it costs clients nothing upfront to get their cases evaluated by our Zepbound attorneys.

In addition to offering free case reviews, our law firm also operates on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you don’t pay our Zepbound lawyers anything unless and until we win.

Put simply: you pay our law firm nothing unless we secure compensation for you.

How Can I Learn More About Filing a Zepbound Lawsuit in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Did you or someone you care about get diagnosed with a severe gastrointestinal complication after taking tirzepatide injections? If so, you’re note alone. Our Zepbound lawsuit attorneys serving Dallas-Fort Worth are here to be your advocates. Contact our Zepbound injury lawyers to find out if you qualify for legal action. We can review your circumstances as part of a free case evaluation.

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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