Weight loss medications like Zepbound (tirzepatide) have become hugely popular throughout the United States. Doctors all over America have prescribed similar medications to help people manage their type 2 diabetes and fight obesity. The demand for these medications remains extremely high. It’s been estimated that 12% of Americans have used Zepbound and similar GLP-1 agonists.
While many people have found success from taking Zepbound, this isn’t the whole story. Other Zepbound patients who’ve the weight loss drug have experienced severe side effects. For some Zepbound patients, the prescription weight loss drug has caused life-threatening health complications despite following their doctor’s orders.
If you experienced serious medical problems after taking Zepbound in the Miami area, our attorneys can help you file a tirzepatide lawsuit. The lawyers 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 developed to promote weight loss and treat obstructive sleep apnea. 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 tirzepatide medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, though it is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes.
How Zepbound and Other Tirzepatide Drugs Work
Zepbound is a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist).
GIP and GLP-1 are naturally occurring hormones that help regulate blood sugar and feelings of satiety. Tirzepatide mimics these hormones, 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, Zepbound 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 Zepbound
Even though Zepbound is growing in popularity, many people use the brand name “Ozempic” as a catch-all term for GIP and GLP-1 drugs that treat diabetes or obesity. However, there are many different GLP-1 brand names, and not all of these medications are a semaglutide like Ozempic. Regardless, these semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide medications function much the same way as Zepbound.
People in the Miami 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)
- 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 drugs and suffered major health complications, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help. Our law firm can represent Miami patients in Zepbound lawsuits that involve the GIP and GLP-1 products listed above.
Common Side Effects from Taking Zepbound
It’s common for patients to experience mild and temporary side effects when taking Zepbound. These minor side effects include a lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
In most cases, these minor side effects are common when patients start taking Zepbound and other tirzepatide 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 persist for a long period of time, it’s important to consult your doctor about the best course of action.
Serious Health Complications Linked to Zepbound
Some Zepbound patients in the Miami area have reported having serious side effects and health complications. In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones, 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 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 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 health problems could prove fatal without urgent medical attention.
How Common Are These Serious Health Issues from Zepbound Use?
The gastrointestinal complications listed 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 on tirzepatide.
However, there are patients in the Miami 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 who’ve been adversely affected from 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 tirzepatide 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
If you have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, seek immediate medical attention. When you are well enough, you can reach out to our Miami Zepbound lawsuit lawyers for a free case review.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Health Problems Related to Zepbound Use?
Potentially, yes. If your health was 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 complications, they might not have taken Zepbound in the first place.
Eligibility to File a Zepbound Lawsuit in Miami, FL
You may qualify for a tirzepatide lawsuit if you were prescribed Zepbound 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 Miami Zepbound 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 Eli Lilly and Company in a legal action.
How Much Can I Win in a Zepbound Lawsuit?
That depends on a number of factors that are unique to your experiences taking Zepbound and your subsequent medical problems. 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?
If you or someone you care about has experienced severe medical complications after taking tirzepatide injections, contact our Zepbound lawyers serving Miami about filing a lawsuit. Our Zepbound injury attorneys can determine if you qualify for a lawsuit during a free case review.