Hailed as a miracle drug, Ozempic has changed the lives of millions of Americans struggling with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 Americans have taken Ozempic or similar GLP-1 drugs to manage their blood sugar or their weight. Chances are that you’ve taken Ozempic yourself, or you know someone who has taken Ozempic in the past or is currently on a GLP-1 medication.

Despite the runaway success of Ozempic, not all patients have had positive experiences taking the drug. More and more people have shared stories of serious medical complications that developed after taking Ozempic. Many of these health issues have affected the digestive tract, causing severe and even life-threatening gastrointestinal emergencies that require urgent care and surgical treatment.

If you developed serious gastrointestinal health problems after taking Ozempic or a similar prescription semaglutide drug, our lawyers serving Ohio 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.

To put it another way, Ozempic helps lower blood sugar while making you feel full for a longer period of the day. Feeling full prevents you from consuming more calories, which promotes weight loss.

What Drugs Are Similar to Ozempic?

Many people in Ohio use Ozempic as a catch-all term for all GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 drugs. However, Ozempic is just a brand name for semaglutide, which is just one kind of drug used to treat diabetes and obesity.

There are many different GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 brand names, and not all of these medications are a semaglutide like Ozempic. Regardless of the name, these tirzepatides, liraglutides, and dulaglutides function much the same way as Ozempic.

You may recognize these other popular brand names for modern and in-demand weight loss drugs:

  • 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 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 Ohio 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:

  • Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – While some nausea and vomiting are common while taking Ozempic, 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 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, Ozempic-related complications are rare. Many semaglutide patients have not required hospitalization or emergency treatment to address the side effects they’ve experienced while on a GLP-1.

However, there are semaglutide patients in Ohio 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.

When you are well enough to do so, we encourage you to speak with our Ozempic lawsuit lawyers serving Ohio for a free case evaluation.

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 Ohio?

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.

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

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 total amount of damages you could receive will be unique to your experiences taking Ozempic, your resulting medical problems, the losses experienced, and the lasting effects on your life.

As part of the free case evaluation, our Ozempic lawsuit attorneys can discuss the physical harm, lasting difficulties, and financial losses you experienced from taking semaglutide and what that could mean for the value of your legal 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 Ohio?

If you or someone you care about has experienced severe health complications after taking semaglutide injections, contact our Ozemic attorneys serving Ohio about filing a lawsuit. Our Ozempic injury lawyers can determine if you qualify for a lawsuit during 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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