Your doctor will advise you of potential side effects whenever you start a new medication. The pharmacist who dispenses the drug will also provide reading materials outlining these side effects anytime you pick up your prescription. Often, the benefits outweigh the side effects and risks.
Recently, research has come out linking weight loss medications to gastroparesis, bowel obstruction, and pancreatitis. Some of these medications include Wegovy and Ozempic. There are now lawsuits nationwide and research worldwide about these side effects. Discuss your condition and options with our product defect attorney.
Side effects can impact your life
When considering a new medication, you must understand the side effects that may come with it. When you speak to your doctor, they will discuss the potential side effects of these medications. Ozempic is known for causing gastroparesis, which is a good side effect for diabetic patients. Diabetes patients benefit from these issues because they balance their glucose and insulin. Conversely, it can also worsen some conditions, causing excessive burping, nausea, and acid reflux.
Rapid weight loss can also lead to increased flux in cholesterol in the gallbladder. This can also lead to gallstone growth. Gallstones can lead to pancreatitis. As you can see, one side effect can lead to a domino effect of issues. It can be overwhelming to face all of these new medical issues. Both gallstones and pancreatitis can happen in about 1% of patients. Those who experienced weight loss reported an average drop of 9 to 14 pounds within 40 weeks of use. Users may also experience an Ozmepic face described as skin sagging, making your face look older.
Who has the highest risk factors?
Side effects will vary in design depending on individual circumstances. Patients taking GLP-1 as weight loss medicine can experience additional side effects when a person is losing extreme amounts of weight which can put them at a higher risk of gastrointestinal conditions. Specifically, overweight women in their 40s also have higher risks of suffering gallstones. Diabetic patients with poorly controlled and long-standing conditions may exacerbate gastroparesis symptoms.
Other adverse reactions are possible depending on the person’s medical conditions and lifestyle choices. Heavy alcohol use can impact the pancreas alone. When combined with medication, the outcome can be much worse. It is advised to consider alcohol use before starting Ozempic. Doctors may advise counseling before allowing a person to start medication.
Weigh out the benefits and risks before you start a new medication
While Ozempic is primarily for diabetes, it is also an option for weight loss. If you are interested in using this medication for weight loss, then you must do so with medical supervision. In some instances, they can positively impact the person’s life. However, you should undergo many considerations and tests before starting medication. As with other medicines, weigh the pros and cons of your Ozempic use. When considering side effects, prepare for the worst since there is no surefire way to tell which side effects you will endure.
Common side effects from Ozempic
The drug’s prescription information outlines vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea as common side effects. This is also what can lead to weight loss. All Ozempic patients report nausea as a side effect over other potential side effects. About 5% of Ozempic patients also report the following side effects:
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Research finds that the higher the dose, the more severe the side effects may be. Dose escalation can also increase the probability of suffering adverse side effects. In some trials and research, between 15.8% and 20.3% of users reported nausea as a side effect. Patients report that side effects often resolve within a few days to weeks. However, if they continue for months, that is a sign that there is a deeper issue to address.
You may assume that the side effects will subside if you stop taking Ozempic. However, it can take weeks for the remnants of the drug to completely leave your body. The higher the dosage, the longer it may take. Even after several weeks, you can still experience side effects.
Side effects can lead to hospitalization and legal action
While there are some common side effects of using Ozempic, some are cause for concern. While these are rare, they can be severe and life-altering. The FDA has a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or medullary thyroid. Other serious health complications include:
- Allergic reactions
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Acute kidney injury
- Hypoglycemia
As with some medications, you can become immune to them. About 1% of users get antibodies against Ozempic. This decreases the drug’s effectiveness, but there is little information on how it impacts side effects. You should obtain emergency medical attention if you experience side effects or medical conditions. You should also speak to your prescribing doctor about lowering your dosage or discontinuing use.
These side effects can also lead to years of medical trouble. As such, over 500 Ozempic users have filed claims in 45 states. Some claims allege the companies knew about these side effects and failed to warn patients—failure to warn falls under defective products.
Speak to Kwartler Manus, LLC today
If your Ozempic usage has resulted in severe gastrointestinal side effects, you should seek justice and compensation for your losses. You could recover payment for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Kwartler Manus, LLC is here to help Ozempic users. Schedule an initial consultation by calling our offices today.