LitPRO
Ozempic is one of several brand names for the drug semaglutide, which was initially developed for use in managing the effects of type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide received FDA approval for that purpose in 2017, and Ozempic became available to the public the same year. Soon after, the drug was approved for use as a treatment for obesity. More than 2.5 million prescriptions for semaglutide were filled in 2023, with about 70% of those prescriptions being for Ozempic.
Since that time, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed claiming that Ozempic causes a condition called gastroparesis. A chronic and potentially dangerous condition, gastroparesis causes weakening of the muscles and nerves in the stomach wall, interfering with the stomach’s ability to move food into the small intestine and creating intestinal obstruction and blockages. There is no cure for gastroparesis; it is only managed by medication and surgery. People with the condition may require such interventions for the rest of their life.
Ozempic lawsuits claim that Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, hid or played down information about the side effects. Other alleged side effects may lead to further legal claims in the future.
