Ozempic is an injection that helps lower blood sugar by injecting insulin into the pancreas. Manjaro is another injection that focuses on improving blood sugar combined with diet and exercise changes. Both drugs are meant to help with diabetes. Sometimes, these drugs are used for weight control, although the FDA has not approved them for this purpose.
Currently, the manufacturers of these drugs are being sued. The lawsuits claim that these drugs are causing gastroparesis, which is a stomach condition. You should speak to a personal injury attorney with experience handling medical negligence cases. Kwartler Manus, LLC, is here to help.
You may have temporary delays in gastric emptying
While there are lawsuits alleging that these injectable drugs cause gastroparesis, there are claims of the opposite. The argument is that the drugs cause a temporary delay in the stomach emptying. They also say that the delay lasts for a short period. Then, once the medication wears off, the person can return to their normal stomach functioning. Experts also argue that these side effects are mild and go away. There are rare instances where they are extreme, and the recommendation is to lower the dosage.
How Ozempic and Mounjaro link to gastroparesis
While experts may claim no tie to gastroparesis, studies say the opposite. Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology studied how these and other GLP-1 drugs affect digestion. During the study, the team had patients take a placebo or a liraglutide for five weeks. They were then given a meal that had radioactive tracers. With The tracers, researchers could see how long the food stayed in the stomach. Those who took liraglutide had food leave their stomachs within 70 minutes. Those who took the placebo emptied their stomachs within four minutes.
In June, the American Society of Anesthesiologists put out warnings for patients to stop the use of these and other GLP-1 drugs at least a week before surgeries. They state using these drugs resulted in an increased risk of vomiting during procedures. The ASA also says food would aspirate into the lungs or airways of patients when under anesthesia.
Causes of gastroparesis
The most common cause of the condition is esophagus, small intestine, or stomach surgery. During these surgeries, the vagus nerve can be injured. While this was the most common cause of gastroparesis, Mounjaro and Ozempic are also now being considered as causes. Another cause is often diabetes.
Side effects of gastroparesis
Gastroparesis causes a delay in emptying the stomach. It can also cause stomach paralysis. The condition can affect how the food moves in your stomach or small intestine. There are serious health complications that can result from this condition. Some of these side effects include:
- Dehydration from vomiting
- Malnutrition from the inability to absorb nutrients
- Difficult to control blood sugar levels
- Abdominal bloating
- Poor appetite
- Pain in the abdomen
- Feeling full after starting a meal or for much longer after finishing a meal
- Acid reflux
- Blood sugar level fluctuations
Some of these side effects were so severe they required emergent medical attention. Some patients had to take several days off work due to their stomach paralysis and pervasive vomiting. Surgical intervention was also needed in some cases.
High risk of gastroparesis for semaglutide users
With the increase in scrutiny for the drugs, researchers worldwide are looking at the correlation between diabetic drug use and gastroparesis. Most recently, the JAMA Network revealed findings in their October peer-reviewed medical journal. They looked at 16 million cases between 2006 and 2020. They narrowed down the findings to patients who do not have diabetes or other underlying conditions. Researchers then tracked the incidence rate of using these drugs and their ties to complications.
An interesting finding is that patients who used semaglutide as weight loss or management had a higher risk of bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, and gastroparesis. Since they eliminated different users, these studies and their results focus on those who use these medications for weight loss.
You can file a claim
Jaclyn Bjorklund from Louisiana filed The first lawsuit in August of 2023. The lawsuit was filed against Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company. She claims her gastroparesis is due to her use of Mounjaro and Ozempic. The lawsuit also states that the manufacturers knew about the link and did nothing to warn or prevent these issues. There are over 500 gastroparesis cases in 45 states at this time. There is sure to be more in the future. If you took either drug, we encourage you to speak to a personal injury attorney from Kwartler Manus, LLC.
Aside from the medication causing gastroparesis, the manufacturers are also under fire for failing to warn patients. Specifically, Novo Nordisk, who manufactures Wagovy and Ozmpic, is in legal trouble for failure to warn. This has already begun to put a strain on their sales and business success. They are an international pharmaceutical company, and by facing backlash here, that can extend to the other markets they serve.
Potential damages in Ozempic and Mounjaro lawsuits
Many of the Ozempics and Mounjaro cases are new, and many things can change as the process continues. Settlement figures are challenging to calculate at this phase. However, here are some of the damages you could be eligible for:
- Lost wages and income
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
- Transportation costs
- Diminished quality of life
Punitive damages have not been awarded yet, but it is possible they could be. These damages are contingent on how egregious or intentional the defendant’s actions were.
Speak to the personal injury lawyers from Kwartler Manus, LLC
If you suffer gastroparesis from taking Manjaro or Ozempic, you deserve to have legal representation seeking compensation on your behalf. Kwartler Manus, LLC, has knowledgeable personal injury attorneys who handle medical negligence cases. We can provide you with the guidance you need during this challenging time. Call us to schedule an initial case review.