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Popular Weight-Loss Drug May Be Linked to Stomach Paralysis
Many patients have come out with reports of serious side effects after they've taken Ozempic and/or Wegovy. These reports have linked the weight loss drugs in question to gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis. This is a serious medical condition that can continue to flare up for months and years after you stop taking Ozempic.
If you've taken Ozempic and Wegowy and believe you've suffered adverse side effects, you might have grounds for a lawsuit. Every manufacturer has a legal duty to inform physicians and the public of potential risks, and failing to do so is unacceptable. If you want to learn more about potential lawsuits, reach out to Ozempic lawyers such as the law firm of Console & Associates, P.C.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a medication for treating people with type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing insulin secretion and slowing glucose absorption. It often produces weight loss in patients, although this is not necessarily its primary intended purpose.
The FDA approved Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes in 2017. While the FDA has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, that's what Wegovy is for. Wegovy is essentially the same drug as Ozempic but given at different dosages, and it was approved for weight loss by the FDA in 2021.
The Symptoms of Ozempic Complications
Many patients have reported side effects ranging from mild to severe. The mild symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation, but they tend to improve over time. On the other hand, patients have reported more serious symptoms such as:
Gastroparesis: Also known as stomach paralysis. It happens when the food stops moving from the stomach to the small intestine, thus preventing the stomach from properly emptying.
Pancreatitis: An inflammation of the pancreas.
Changes in Blood Sugar Levels: Some patients have experienced hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) or other issues with blood sugar control.
Kidney Problems: There have been reports of kidney issues among Ozempic patients, including a decline in kidney function.
Thyroid Tumors: In really rare cases thyroid tumors has also been reported
The Safety of Ozempic
The safety concerns emerged when doctors started noticing gastroparesis when patients vomited days old food, as well as them having full stomachs when going through endoscopy. This led the American Society of Anesthesiologists (“ASA”) to issue guidance to practitioners in June 2023, suggesting they consider asking patients to stop taking Ozempic a week before undergoing any surgery requiring they receive anesthesia.
Are Ozempic Side Effects Reversible?
Every patient is different, but there are extreme are cases when Ozempic side effects persist for months or years. One such example is a woman rushed to the emergency room because of vomit induced dehydration. She stopped taking Ozempic one year prior. The manufacturer of the drug, Novo Nordisk, explained that mild gastrointestinal (GI) events have been reported by them in the documentation. However, they didn't mention anything about the more serious reported side effects.
Ozempic Lawsuits Over Stomach Paralysis
If you have reason to believe that you have developed gastroparesis because of undisclosed side effects by the manufacturer you have the right to file for a lawsuit for the pain and suffering you've endured. To help you along your way of justice contact our skilled professionals at the law firm of Console & Associates, P.C.
