GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound have become commonplace in America. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 Americans have taken GLP-1 medications to manage their blood sugar or lose excess weight. Given these numbers, there’s a good chance that you’re currently on a GLP-1, or you probably know someone who has at least tried these medications for the health benefits.

Even though these diabetes and weight loss injections are extremely popular, not all patients have had positive experiences. In fact, more and more GLP-1 patients have come forward with stories of serious medical complications. Many of these medical problems involve issues with the digestive tract, including severe and life-threatening gastrointestinal emergencies requiring urgent treatment and surgery.

If you developed a serious gastrointestinal health problem after taking a prescription GLP-1 drug like Ozempic or Wegovy, our lawyers serving Ohio can help you file a lawsuit. The GLP-1 attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for compensation in a free case evaluation.

About GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are a wide range of drugs used to lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. These medications are also known as GLP-1 analogs, incretin mimetics, and GLP-1 RAs. The majority of these popular medications are injectable, though Rybelsus is a semaglutide pill that is taken orally.

GLP-1 medications were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. After noting the weight loss benefits in diabetes patients, other GLP-1s were developed specifically to treat patients with obesity. Today, there are GLP-1 drugs specifically approved for diabetic patients (e.g., Ozempic) as well as GLP-1s intended to promote weight loss in patients with obesity (e.g., Wegovy).

The popularity of GLP-1 medications for weight loss caused major shortages of these medications and higher prices. The demand for GLP-1 medications led to diabetes drugs like Ozempic being prescribed off-label to help obese and overweight patients lose excess body mass.

How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?

GLP-1 is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. This hormone regulates blood sugar and feelings of satiety. GLP-1 agonists mimic this hormone, improving blood sugar levels, slowing down the digestive process, and helping you feel satiated.

In simple terms, GLP-1 drugs make you feel full for a longer amount of time while keeping your blood sugar down. Since you don't feel hungry, you consume fewer calories throughout the day, which leads to weight loss.

What Is the Difference Between a GLP-1 and a GIP/GLP-1?

Tirzepatide is a popular weight loss and diabetes medication that is both a GLP-1 and a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These GIP/GLP-1 medications are marketed under the names Mounjaro and Zepbound.

GIP/GLP-1 drugs function much the same way as GLP-1 drugs: regulating blood sugar, slowing down digestion, helping patients feel satiated for longer periods of the day, and reducing overall calorie consumption in the process.

Popular Brand Names for GLP-1 Drugs

There are numerous brand names for GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications used to treat diabetes and obesity. Most of the public uses the brand name “Ozempic” as a convenient catch-all for these medications.

People throughout Ohio may recognize the following brand names of GLP-1 weight loss drugs:

  • 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)
  • Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can represent Ohio GLP-1 patients in lawsuits if they took any of the medications listed above and experienced severe complications.

Common Side Effects of GLP-1 Agonists

Mild and temporary side effects from GLP-1 drugs are common. These minor side effects include:

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

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

How Long Do These Common GLP-1 Side Effects Last?

Minor GLP-1 side effects are most noticeable in the first two to six weeks of starting treatment. Once this initial month and a half is over, the side effects tend to subside or become more tolerable.

If your GLP-1 side effects do not improve after six weeks or worsen, 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 GLP-1 Medications

Some GLP-1 patients in Ohio have reported having severe side effects and health complications. In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones, GLP-1 patients have also suffered from:

  • Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – While some nausea and vomiting are common while taking GLP-1, some patients vomit several times a day for two weeks or more. Prolonged bouts of frequent vomiting can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, injuries to the esophagus, acidic erosion of the tooth enamel, and tooth loss.
  • Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is when the nerves and muscles of the stomach fail to move food into the small intestine to continue digestion. If stomach paralysis is not treated, it could contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and many other medical issues.
  • Intestinal Obstruction – An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine or part of the large intestine that prevents food from moving through the gastrointestinal tract. If not treated, intestinal blockages could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
  • Bowel Obstruction – Bowel obstructions are intestinal blockages affecting the large intestine and colon. Like obstructions of the small intestine, a blocked bowel could cause tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis without proper medical treatment.

If a GLP-1 patient experiences these GI complications, they need to seek immediate medical care and hospitalization.

In extreme cases of intestinal obstruction, the GLP-1 patient may require the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. These gastrointestinal issues could be fatal without urgent medical attention.

How Common Are These Serious Health Issues from GLP-1 Use?

Thankfully, severe GLP-1 complications are rare. Many GLP-1 patients do not require emergency treatment to address the side effects they’ve experienced while taking their prescription diabetes or weight loss medication.

However, GLP-1 patients in Ohio have experienced severe GI problems from drugs like Ozempic, even after 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 GLP-1 medications as directed.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Serious Gastrointestinal Complications

If you are concerned that your GLP-1 medication 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 Taking GLP-1 Drugs

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

When you are well enough to do so, we encourage you to speak with our GLP-1 lawsuit lawyers serving Ohio for a free case review.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Gastrointestinal Problems Linked to GLP-1 Use?

Yes, you can potentially file a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and Company if your health or a family member’s health was negatively impacted after taking a GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 drug.

While these pharmaceutical companies have warning labels about the most common side effects of GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications, 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 GLP-1 patients been sufficiently warned about the potential dangers of these rare medical complications, they might not have started this form of treatment and asked about alternatives.

Who Is Eligible to File a GLP-1 Lawsuit in Ohio?

You may qualify for a GLP-1 lawsuit if you were prescribed semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, or dulaglutide and suffered serious medical complications affecting your GI 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.

It’s best to speak with our Ohio GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys as soon as possible to assess your eligibility. Our experienced team of lawyers can review what happened, discuss the severity of your health issues, and determine if you can seek compensation from Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and Company in a legal case.

How Much Can I Win If I File a GLP-1 Lawsuit?

The amount secured from a GLP-1 legal case will vary from person to person. Numerous factors need to be considered, so an estimate cannot be provided until our attorneys have an opportunity to evaluate the details of your claim.

The total amount of damages you could receive will be unique to your experiences taking a GLP-1 drug, your resulting health problems, the losses you experienced, and the lasting effects on your overall quality of life.

As part of the free case evaluation, our GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys can discuss the physical harm, lasting difficulties, and financial losses you experienced and what that could mean for the total value of your legal claim.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your GLP-1 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 a GLP-1 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 GLP-1 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 a GLP-1 Lawsuit in Ohio?

If you or someone you care about has experienced severe gastrointestinal health problems after taking semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, or dulaglutide, contact our GLP-1 attorneys serving Ohio about filing a lawsuit. Our GLP-1 injury lawyers 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