Ozempic, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, is facing one of the largest pharmaceutical legal battles in recent years, with over 1,800 lawsuits already filed in US courts and more growing rapidly. Analysts estimate that the total liability for manufacturer Novo Nordisk could cross 2 billion dollars, making it one of the costliest drug safety disputes in history.
Why are patients suing Ozempic?
Ozempic, also sold under brands like Wegovy and Rybelsus, belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs were originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes but soon became popular for weight loss because they suppress appetite, help regulate blood sugar and eventually help in losing weight.
Hidden dangers of Ozempic
While many people have lost weight with the drug, more and more patients say it left them with serious side effects. Court filings list a range of serious health problems linked to Ozempic. These include severe gastrointestinal issues such as gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), intestinal blockages, and persistent vomiting. Patients have also reported gallbladder complications like inflammation and gallstones. Some cases involve sudden vision loss linked to a condition called NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy). Apart from these, pancreatitis and kidney damage have also been reported.
Patients say Novo Nordisk did not give them enough warning about these risks, even as more cases of complications were being reported.
Some research studies are being used as evidence in these lawsuits. A 2023 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people using GLP-1 drugs had a higher risk of developing gastroparesis compared with non-users. Eye specialists have reported a rise in cases of sudden, unexplained vision loss in patients who had recently taken Ozempic. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration’s adverse events database has logged thousands of complaints about gastrointestinal and vision problems tied to the drug.
Novo Nordisk calls Ozempic safe
However, Novo Nordisk strongly denies these claims. The company says Ozempic is safe when used as prescribed and that all medications carry some risk. But plaintiffs claim the full scope of potential harm was not communicated, especially when the drug began being widely used for off-label weight loss, a purpose for which it was not originally approved.
How did the legal battle start?
The first lawsuit was filed in August 2023 by a woman named Jaclyn Bjorklund, who alleged she developed stomach paralysis and vision loss after using Ozempic. By February 2024, so many similar cases had been filed that the U.S. courts consolidated them into a single proceeding, known as multidistrict litigation, in Pennsylvania.
This step helps streamline cases that involve the same drug and similar injuries. Instead of hundreds of different courts handling the same scientific questions, one judge manages the pretrial process, making it easier to coordinate evidence, expert testimony, and settlement talks.
By May 2025, more than 1,800 cases were pending in the MDL. Analysts say hundreds more are likely to be added in the coming months.
Who can file a lawsuit?
According to lawyers handling the cases, people may be able to join the lawsuits if they took Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or Eli Lilly’s drug Mounjaro and later developed serious health issues such as stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, gallbladder disease, vision loss, or pancreatitis. They must also have medical records to confirm the diagnosis and file their claim within the legal deadline, which usually ranges from one to three years depending on the state.
Even patients whose symptoms eventually improved may still have a claim, since lawsuits often cover medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What happens next?
The litigation is still in the discovery phase as of August 2025. This means both sides are gathering documents, reviewing scientific data, and preparing expert witnesses. The next big steps include:
- Bellwether trials – A handful of cases will go to trial first. Their outcomes will serve as test runs, showing how juries respond to the evidence.
- Expert testimony – Doctors and researchers will present studies linking Ozempic to reported side effects.
- Settlement talks – If juries side with patients in early trials, Novo Nordisk may be pushed toward a global settlement covering all pending cases.
- Expansion of claims – New side effects such as kidney injury, hair loss, and emotional distress are being reviewed for possible inclusion in lawsuits.
Legal experts expect the first bellwether trials in early 2026. The results could set the tone for thousands of future claims.
Why could damages reach 2 billion dollars?
The lawsuits are massive in scale, with each case representing a patient who says their health was seriously harmed, sometimes leading to hospital stays, surgeries, or lifelong treatment. If Novo Nordisk is found responsible, the company may have to pay for medical bills (past and future), lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering. Courts could also impose extra penalties if it is proven the company knowingly hid the risks.
Analysts say the total could exceed 2 billion dollars. And that figure may grow if more patients join the MDL.
What patients should know about Ozempic
For anyone using Ozempic or similar drugs, doctors recommend watching closely for symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea or vomiting, sudden changes in vision, or unexplained digestive issues. If any of these occur, patients should seek medical care immediately.
It’s also important to discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider before starting or stopping these medications. While lawsuits are making headlines, many patients still benefit from GLP-1 drugs under careful medical supervision.
The Ozempic lawsuits show the gap between how drugs are approved and how they are later used. Medications designed for diabetes are now prescribed widely for weight loss, sometimes without long-term safety data.
This legal fight could change the way drug companies warn about risks, how regulators deal with off-label use, and how much responsibility manufacturers carry when medicines become widely used beyond their original purpose.
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