Pharmaceutical Companies Sued by Woman Alleging ‘Severe Gastrointestinal Issues’ from Weight-Loss Drugs
A 44-year-old Louisiana woman has filed a defective drugs lawsuit against the makers of Ozempic and Mounjaro, medications in the same class as Rybelsus, alleging that the companies “downplayed” the severity of complications associated with the drugs and asserting she was “severely injured” after using them, according to Today [1.].
The lawsuit, which was filed on August 2, 2023, in the Western District of Louisiana, is the first to allege the diabetes / weight-loss medications can cause severe gastrointestinal problems.
Plaintiff Jaclyn Bjorklund accuses Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, and Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro, of failing to adequately warn of all the potential side effects from using the medications, including the risk of stomach paralysis, also known as “gastroparesis.”
According to the lawsuit, Bjorklund was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2017 and took Ozempic for over 1 year, then stopped and switched to Mounjaro in July 2023 at the advice of her physician.
Not long after, she began experiencing “severe gastrointestinal events,” including severe vomiting, throwing up food hours after eating, stomach pain, gastrointestinal burning, hospitalizations for stomach issues and teeth falling out because of excessive vomiting, according to the lawsuit.
Plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for past and future pain and suffering, including healthcare costs and medical monitoring, in addition to attorney’s fees and court costs.
What is Rybelsus?
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is used to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug has also been shown in studies to help weight loss, but it is not approved to treat this condition. Rybelsus was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2019, and is manufactured and marketed by Novo Nordisk.
What is Stomach Paralysis?
Stomach paralysis, or gastroparesis, is a chronic disorder of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract characterized by delayed gastric emptying of solids and/or liquids in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the gastric outlet. Gastroparesis is most frequently associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with between 10–60% of diabetics exhibiting symptoms of the condition.
Gastroparesis Symptoms
Symptoms of stomach paralysis are often non-specific and vary from patient to patient, but typically include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- A feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites
- Vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier
- Acid reflux
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss/malnutrition
Is There a Stomach Paralysis Warning on the Labeling of Rybelsus?
The terms “stomach paralysis” or “gastroparesis” do not appear in the prescribing information for Rybelsus, but “delays gastric emptying” appears on the drug’s labeling. Gastric emptying can affect the way other medications are absorbed by the body.
Potentially Thousands of Rybelsus Stomach Paralysis Cases Leading to Lawsuits
Doctors have been receiving an increasing number of reports of gastrointestinal issues in patients who have taken type 2 diabetes/weight loss drugs like Rybelsus.
As the popularity of these medications has soared in recent years, the FDA has received many reports of stomach paralysis in patients. Given the popularity of Rybelsus, Ozempic and Mounjaro, thousands of similar cases leading to lawsuits are expected in the coming weeks and months.
Do I Have a Rybelsus Stomach Paralysis Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Rybelsus Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new stomach paralysis cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one suffered from stomach paralysis or another injury after taking Rybelsus or another weight loss medication, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Rybelsus Stomach Paralysis Class Action Lawsuit and our lawyers can help.