Ozempic has been hailed as a miracle drug for numerous people struggling with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The numbers are staggering. By some estimates, 1 out of every 8 Americans has taken Ozempic in order to manage their blood sugar or shed excess weight. Chances are you’ve tried Ozempic yourself or know someone in the Houston area who has.

The runaway success of Ozempic doesn’t tell the whole story, however. Many patients have come forward to share their negative experiences taking the popular semaglutide injection. Some of these patients have developed major medical issues while taking Ozempic as directed. A number of these negative experiences involve potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal complications that required surgery and other types of emergency care.

If you were diagnosed with severe gastrointestinal health problems after taking Ozempic or a similar prescription semaglutide drug, our lawyers serving Houston can help you file a lawsuit. The Ozempic attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for compensation in a free case evaluation.


 

About Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Developed by Novo Nordisk, Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable semaglutide that was originally intended to manage type 2 diabetes. Ozempic received initial FDA approval for diabetes treatment in 2017.

Diabetic patients on Ozempic reported weight loss benefits from taking semaglutide. This led to Novo Nordisk's development of Wegovy, another semaglutide that is specifically designed for people with obesity who are trying to lose excess weight. Wegovy received initial FDA approval in 2021.

The high demand for Wegovy made it difficult to obtain semaglutides specifically designed for weight loss patients. The Wegovy shortage led doctors to prescribe Ozempic for off-label use to help patients with obesity lose excess body mass.

How Do Ozempic and Other Semaglutides Work?

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, which is usually abbreviated as GLP-1 or sometimes GLP-1 RA. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of satiety.

GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic mimic this natural hormone. By doing so, Ozempic improves blood sugar levels, slows the movement of food through the digestive tract, and helps patients feel satiated.

In much simpler terms, Ozempic lowers your blood sugar and also reduces feelings of hunger throughout the day. Since you feel sated for longer periods of time, you’re less likely to snack or overeat. That means consuming fewer calories each day, which leads to weight loss.

What Drugs Are Similar to Ozempic?

In normal conversation, many people use “Ozempic” as a catch-all term for all kinds of diabetes and weight loss drugs. Yet the truth is that Ozempic is just one type of medication. There are other GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 drugs available with their own brand names and formulations that are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

On top of that, Ozempic is a semaglutide, but tirzepatide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide medications work much the same way and achieve similar results.

You may recognize these other popular brand names for modern and in-demand GLP-1 drugs that are similar to Ozempic in many ways:

  • Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
  • Zepbound (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 Houston clients in Ozempic lawsuits or legal actions that involve any of the GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 products listed above.

Common Side Effects of Ozempic

Mild and temporary side effects are common when patients take Ozempic. These minor side effects include:

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

These minor side effects are most common when patients start taking Ozempic. The side effects typically subside as the patient gets used to taking the injectable semaglutide and their body adjusts to the dosage.

How Long Do These Common Ozempic Side Effects Last?

Common Ozempic side effects are most pronounced for the first two to six weeks of taking semaglutide. After the initial month and a half, side effects should subside or become more tolerable.

If your Ozempic side effects continue after six weeks or worsen, be sure to speak with your doctor about what steps to take next.

Serious Health Complications Linked to Ozempic

Some Ozempic patients in Houston have reported having severe side effects and health complications. In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones, Ozempic patients have also suffered from these gastrointestinal problems:

  • Severe and Prolonged Bouts of Vomiting – Occasional nausea and vomiting while on Ozempic is normal. Yet some Ozempic 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 an Ozempic patient experiences these GI complications, they need to seek immediate medical care and hospitalization.

In extreme cases of intestinal blockage, the patient may require the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life.

These gastrointestinal problems could prove fatal without urgent medical attention.

How Common Are These Serious Health Issues from Ozempic Use?

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

However, there are semaglutide patients in Houston who have experienced severe GI problems from Ozempic even though they followed their doctor's orders to the letter. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to provide legal guidance and support to people who’ve been adversely affected by taking Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications as directed.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Serious Gastrointestinal Complications

If you are concerned that Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug has caused a serious health problem, there are several common warning signs of GI issues. These are the most common symptoms of the gastrointestinal complications we've detailed 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 Ozempic Use

If you 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 be fatal if they are not treated as soon as possible.

After getting necessary medical treatment, you may wonder what you can do to seek compensation. When you are well enough to do so, we encourage you to contact our Ozempic lawsuit lawyers serving Houston for a free case review.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Gastrointestinal Problems Linked to Ozempic Use?

Yes, you can potentially file a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk if your health or a family member’s health was negatively affected after taking Ozempic.

While Novo Nordisk includes warning labels about Ozempic’s most common side effects, the language on these 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 Ozempic patients been sufficiently warned about the potential dangers of these rare medical complications, they might not have taken semaglutide in the first place.

Who Is Eligible to File an Ozempic Lawsuit in Houston?

You may qualify for a semaglutide lawsuit if you were prescribed Ozempic and suffered serious medical complications affecting your gastrointestinal system as a result.

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

Given the variables that could affect your eligibility for a legal claim, it’s best to contact our Houston Ozempic lawsuit lawyers to discuss what happened to you. Our attorneys will carefully review your diagnosis, any subsequent health struggles, and discuss the long-term financial impact on your household. Our firm will let you know if you can seek compensation from Novo Nordisk in a lawsuit.

How Much Can I Win If I File an Ozempic Lawsuit?

The amount secured from an Ozempic claim will vary from patient to patient. Multiple factors need to be considered, so an estimate cannot be provided until our lawyers review the details of your case.

The potential damages you could receive in a legal claim will depend on what you suffered while taking Ozempic. 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 Ozempic 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 Ozempic claim.

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

The lawyers 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 an Ozempic Attorney?

At Bursor & Fisher, P.A., it costs you nothing upfront to get your case evaluated. In addition to offering free case reviews, our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our Ozempic lawyers anything unless and until we win.

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

How Can I Learn More About Filing an Ozempic Lawsuit in Houston?

If you experienced severe gastrointestinal complications after taking semaglutide for diabetes, you’re not alone. Our Ozempic attorneys serving Houston are here to help and ready to listen. Contact our Ozempic lawyers to learn if you qualify for a lawsuit. We can discuss your situation as part of 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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