GLP-1 drugs have helped millions of people all over the United States lower their blood sugar and combat obesity. It’s estimated that 1 out of every 8 Americans has taken drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound to manage type 2 diabetes or shed excess weight. There’s a good chance that you’ve taken a GLP-1 yourself or know someone in the greater Houston area who has.

The popularity of GLP-1 drugs does not paint a full picture of patient results, however. Many people on GLP-1 medications have come forward with their negative experiences. These patients developed severe medical issues after taking their GLP-1 as directed. Some even developed life-threatening gastrointestinal complications that required surgery and other forms of emergency care.

If you were diagnosed with a severe gastrointestinal health problem after taking a prescription GLP-1 drug like Ozempic or Wegovy, our lawyers serving Houston 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.

To put this another way, GLP-1 medications lower your blood sugar and also reduce 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 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

Most people use the brand name “Ozempic” to refer to  GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications. Ozempic is just one of these kinds of drugs, though it’s the most popular and well-known, which is why it’s been used as a catch-all term for these kinds of diabetes and weight loss drugs. In fact, there are different types of these medications available under numerous brand names.

People throughout Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 these gastrointestinal problems:

  • Severe and Prolonged Bouts of Vomiting – Occasional nausea and vomiting while on a GLP-1 drug is normal. Yet some GLP-1 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. A blocked bowel that is not treated in time can cause tissue death, peritonitis, or even sepsis.

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, major gastrointestinal complications related to GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications are rare. Many patients who take semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, or dulaglutide do not require hospitalization to treat GI problems. Instead, many patients just experience the more common side effects of GLP-1 drugs.

However, GLP-1 patients in Houston 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.

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 GLP-1 lawsuit lawyers serving Houston for a free case evaluation.

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 Houston?

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.

Becuase of the different variables that determine eligibility for a legal claim, it’s best to contact our Houston GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys about what happened to you. We can carefully assess your eligibility as we discuss your gastrointestinal health issues and the impact they’ve had on your life. Our lawyers will let you know if you can seek compensation from Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and Company in a lawsuit.

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

During your free case evaluation, our GLP-1 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 GLP-1 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 Houston?

If you experienced gastrointestinal complications after taking semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, or dulaglutide, you’re not alone. Our GLP-1 attorneys serving Houston are ready to listen and offer our help. Contact our GLP-1 lawyers today. Find out 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.

 

GLP-1 Lawsuit