The surge in popularity of weight-loss drugs, particularly those in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, and Mounjaro, has brought with it a wave of serious legal challenges that could lead to historic injury settlements. These medications, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, have been widely prescribed off-label for weight loss, but mounting evidence suggests they may cause severe and sometimes permanent injuries, prompting thousands of lawsuits.
At the heart of these legal actions are allegations that pharmaceutical companies failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the risks associated with these drugs. Plaintiffs claim that manufacturers knew or should have known about serious side effects—including gastroparesis (a condition where the stomach cannot empty properly), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, vision problems such as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), and gastrointestinal obstructions—but downplayed or concealed these dangers in their marketing and labeling.
Gastroparesis has emerged as one of the most common and debilitating injuries linked to these drugs. Patients report persistent nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and the need for invasive treatments such as gastric emptying studies or even surgical interventions like sleeve gastrectomy, where a large portion of the stomach is removed. These symptoms often lead to repeated hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and long-term medical care. The severity and chronic nature of these injuries have made them a focal point in multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceedings centralized in federal courts, particularly in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Beyond gastrointestinal issues, other serious complications have been reported. Blood clots leading to DVT and pulmonary embolism have resulted in surgeries, intensive care stays, and life-threatening conditions. Vision loss and blindness claims have also surfaced, alleging that drugs like Trulicity caused irreversible damage to patients’ eyesight. These claims suggest a broader pattern of harm that extends beyond the digestive system.
The legal landscape is rapidly evolving. Since late 2023, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed, with expectations that the number could swell into the thousands. These cases are being consolidated into MDLs to streamline pretrial processes, reduce costs, and facilitate coordinated discovery. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that the manufacturers’ failure to provide adequate warnings constitutes negligence, design defects, and deceptive marketing practices. Defendants, on the other hand, typically contend that the drugs are safe when used as directed and that th
