More plaintiffs are continuing to join the diabetes drug Ozempic lawsuits against Novo Nordisk; and, until a couple of weeks ago, some court watchers were estimating that the total number of federal lawsuits involving Ozempic could reach 10,000 before all is said and done. But, due to a recent development, some are now saying that the final figure could be much higher.

On July 3, 2024, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published an article identifying an increased risk of vision loss associated with the use of semaglutide medications, whether to treat diabetes or used as a weight loss medication. Semaglutide is the active ingredient not only in Ozempic, but also in the weight loss drugs Wegovy and Rybelsus, which are also manufactured by Novo Nordisk. As the health concerns surrounding these drugs had previously focused on complications affecting the stomach and intestines, this represents a significant development that could expand the scope of the pending Ozempic litigation substantially.

“We are continuing to see increased interest in the Ozempic litigation. As more people become aware of the risks associated with Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus—at least some of which Novo Nordisk seemed to be aware—we expect the number of lawsuits filed against the company to go up exponentially. Since these risks were only recently discovered outside of the company, the vast majority of prospective plaintiffs still have time to file.” – Dr. Nick Oberheiden, Founding Attorney of Oberheiden P.C.

Individuals and families who are coping with the effects of any type of health complication, including severe and permanent injuries, related to the use of Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus may have grounds to file an Ozempic lawsuit against drug makers Novo Nordisk. The company is currently facing multidistrict litigation (MDL) in federal court in the eastern district of Pennsylvania before District Judge Gene Pratter, and the court is preparing for an anticipated influx of new claims over the coming year. While this is broadly referred to as the Ozempic litigation, claims consolidated in the Ozempic Lawsuit MDL include those related to complications from Wegovy and Rybelsus as well.

Understanding the Health Risks Associated with Semaglutides (Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus)

The July 3, 2024 JAMA article presents significant new concerns about the risks associated with the diabetes drugs and weight loss medications Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and other semaglutide medications. As noted above, prior to the article’s release, these concerns focused primarily on stomach and gastrointestinal problems, as semaglutides interact with the hormones in the digestive system. Now, however, there is evidence to suggest that use of these drugs, whether for Type II diabetes treatment or for weight loss, could present other risks as well.

With this in mind, here is a look at the currently known risks associated with Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus:

Vision Loss

The findings reported in the July 3, 2024 JAMA article are painfully clear: A study of more than 16,000 patients revealed a “higher risk of [non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)] in patients prescribed semaglutide compared with patients prescribed non-glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist medications for diabetes or obesity.” While the authors acknowledge that, “future study is required to assess causality,” they also make the case for a clear link between NAION and semaglutide medications.

NAION is a condition that can cause sudden, and permanent, vision loss. As Penn Medicine explains:

“Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a potentially debilitating condition that occurs from a lack of sufficient blood flow to the optic nerve. . . . The optic nerve is the cable that connects the brain to the eye and carries millions of nerve fibers and blood vessels. . . . Although sometimes there can be total blockage of a blood vessel that feeds the optic nerve, it is believed to be more commonly caused by inadequate flow to one half of the nerve. If the optic nerve’s nutrient and oxygen supply is cut off, nerve tissue is damaged, resulting in vision loss.”

As Penn Medicine also explains, “[p]eople with NAION usually have no warning before vision loss occurs,” though some may, “notice a dark area or shadow in their vision that affects the upper or lower half of their visual field . . . [or] loss of contrast and light sensitivity.” Regardless of how the condition onsets, anyone who experiences vision impairments or vision loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus should see a doctor and consult with an attorney about their legal rights as soon as possible.

While more information is needed to know whether NAION is a complication from semaglutides (and whether Novo Nordisk may have been aware of this concern, as appears to have been the case with the other risks discussed below), this should not discourage individuals who experience vision impairments or vision loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus from seeking legal advice. In these types of scenarios, plaintiffs’ attorneys often lead the way in conducting the investigations that are necessary to determine whether legal action is warranted, and these attorneys need to hear from individuals who can share as much information as possible.

Gastroparesis

A significant portion of all lawsuits filed to date in the MDL against Novo Nordisk have alleged that the plaintiffs were diagnosed with gastroparesis after using Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus. Gastroparesis “is a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine, even though there is no blockage in the stomach or intestines.” As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) go on to explain, early symptoms of gastroparesis include:

• Abdominal pain
• Feeling full shortly after starting a meal
• Feeling full long after eating a meal
• Bloating, belching, and heartburn
• Nausea and vomiting

Treatment options for gastroparesis vary, “depend[ing] on the cause, how severe [a patient’s] symptoms and complications are, and how well [the patient] respond[s] to different treatments.” Doctors may prescribe a variety of medications in an effort to treat gastroparesis, and surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases. While stopping use of Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus may help to prevent a patient’s condition from worsening, this will not be enough on its own to resolve the effects of gastroparesis in most cases.

Ileus

The National Library of Medicine describes Ileus as, “a condition in which the bowel does not work correctly, but there is no structural problem causing it.” Similar to gastroparesis, ileus has been linked to the use of semaglutide medications, and plaintiffs are currently pursuing ileus-related claims in the Ozempic litigation against Novo Nordisk. Also similar to gastroparesis, ileus can have a variety of symptoms (including abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea, among others), and treatment options can range from medication to surgery.

While ileus is often treatable, prompt diagnosis is critical for mitigating the risk of long-term complications. Infections and gangrene can result from delayed treatment, and they can be fatal in some cases. Although the National Library of Medicine specifically recommends that people see their doctor if they cannot go to the restroom, if they vomit repeatedly, or if they have abdominal pain or swelling that does not go away, anyone who has concerns after taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Rybelsus should consult with a medical professional (and with an attorney) as soon as possible.

Other Intestinal Complications

Along with ileus, plaintiffs in the Novo Nordisk MDL are pursuing claims related to other intestinal complications as well, like stomach paralysis. At present, the full extent of the intestinal risks associated with semaglutide use remains unknown. However, what is known is that the risk of intestinal complications from semaglutide use is very real, and investigations have revealed that Novo Nordisk may have been aware of this risk for years. These complications often have similar symptoms; and, here too, anyone who has concerns should prioritize obtaining a diagnosis and any necessary treatment.

A Look at the Ozempic Lawsuit Going Forward

The Ozempic litigation is still very much in its early stages, particularly in light of the anticipated scope of the litigation in the years to come. However, the MDL in Pennsylvania is moving forward, and the judge presiding over the MDL has indicated that she intends to keep the litigation moving forward as swiftly as possible. This is good news for plaintiffs (and prospective plaintiffs), as drug companies typically seek to delay these proceedings in order to drag them out as long as possible.

Is a settlement likely in the Ozempic litigation? At this point, it is too early to tell for certain, but a global settlement certainly seems like a viable possibility. As more information about the risks associated with Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus comes to light (as well as more information about what Novo Nordisk knew and when), we will get a clearer picture of the litigation landscape and the likelihood of settlement.

But, while the Ozempic litigation may still be in its early stages, this does not mean that prospective plaintiffs should take a wait-and-see approach. To the contrary, they should consult with an Ozempic attorney as soon as possible. Each new claim in United States District Court sheds additional light on the scope of the risks associated with Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide medications, and it also adds more pressure on the company to consider an efficient out-of-court settlement in the Ozempic stomach paralysis lawsuit. Consulting with an Ozempic lawyer in this situation costs nothing out of pocket, as plaintiffs’ Ozempic lawsuit lawyers handle these types of cases on a contingency-fee basis.