Wegovy Lawsuit Hub

The Wegovy lawsuit alleges that the drug may cause severe gastroparesis. It also claims that the drug’s manufacturers allegedly failed to adequately warn of this risk. Individual lawsuits from across the United States have been consolidated. They are now part of a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).

Have you experienced severe side effects from Wegovy? Contact us today to discuss your legal options. 

Key Takeaways

• Lawsuits allege that Wegovy causes serious side effects like gastroparesis. They accuse manufacturer Novo Nordisk of providing inadequate warnings.
• Individual cases have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Pennsylvania for streamlined processing.
• Claims focus on alleged inadequate warnings and deceptive marketing by Novo Nordisk.
• Novo Nordisk cites the ‘learned intermediary’ doctrine, asserting they inform doctors of risks. Doctors are then responsible for warning patients.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Wegovy Lawsuit

Wegovy is a brand name for the drug semaglutide. The main purpose is weight loss in adults. Wegovy is often associated with the big-name drug Ozempic.

The FDA approved the drug for weight loss in 2021. Wegovy is viewed by many as a life-changing drug that could help people work toward their dream bodies. The benefits of this drug are now in conflict with potential health risks.

Wegovy is currently being legally scrutinized due to side effects. Some users of the drug who had harmful side effects have filed lawsuits. 

These lawsuits allege that the manufacturer Novo Nordisk failed to warn users. That they did not clearly disclose the potential risks associated with Wegovy.

The lawsuits claim that Wegovy can lead to serious conditions. Many conditions are currently under testing and investigation. The main condition that users allege is caused by Wegovy is:

• Gastroparesis – A condition that makes it difficult for the stomach to empty itself.

Please keep in mind that the lawsuits are currently accusations. The legal process is ongoing. 

It is alleged that Novo Nordisk marketed Wegovy to the public as a safe and effective way to lose weight. Lawsuits also claim they didn’t disclose the risks involved. According to Novo Nordisk, they say that the lawsuits are without merit and that they plan to defend themselves.

The outcome of these lawsuits could be very important. It might impact future regulatory and marketing practices for drug companies. Especially those intended for weight loss. 

As the legal process advances, there are 2 main outcomes to watch for: 

• Addressing hardships of affected patients. 
• Setting precedents on accountability and consumer safety in the pharma industry.

Is there a Wegovy Class Action Lawsuit?

There is no Wegovy class action lawsuit. Instead, this kind of lawsuit which many people can join is what’s known as a mass tort. The suit is managed under multidistrict litigation (MDL). MDLs merge many related cases into one big case.

Understanding Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

An MDL combines complex lawsuits that have similar legal issues. It centralizes many of the proceedings into one court to streamline processes.

MDLs are useful when each person’s case is a bit different, as opposed to a class action. They help make sure everyone’s unique situation is considered. This makes the legal process more efficient for groups of related cases.

There are lots of benefits to an MDL in complex lawsuits. They prevent repetitive discovery and inconsistent rulings. It can also accelerate the legal process for large groups of related cases. The potential downside is the possibility of longer wait times for certain users who filed lawsuits.

Wegovy Side Effects, Risks & Symptoms

Wegovy is a medication for weight loss that works by making users feel full longer. This offers numerous benefits for weight management. Though on the contrary it also poses potential adverse side effects, among which gastroparesis has been reported in some users.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a very serious condition. Studies have pointed to an incidence rate of about 10 cases per 1,000 users. The symptoms are severe: nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. That is why it is necessary to conduct cautious monitoring.

More Reported Side Effects

Other side effects reported by users are currently under review. They have not yet been definitively linked in the ongoing Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). 

Blood Clots

​​Research, including the SUSTAIN and PIONEER trials, suggests an increased risk. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been observed in users of semaglutide. DVT is a serious condition that can become life-threatening if it travels to the lungs or heart.

Gallbladder Issues

Users have reported gallbladder-related problems. Issues like gallstones can lead to surgical intervention. Some symptoms that can be found are abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, and clay-colored stools.

Intestinal Blockage and Ileus

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved updates to the drug labels for medicines containing semaglutide following reports of cases of intestinal blockage. The updated labeling for medicines containing the drug now includes warnings about the risks of intestinal blockage, or ileus, which can cause symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting.

Gastroenteritis

One of these reported side effects is gastroenteritis, an infection in the intestines. Medications that include semaglutide could lead to the development of this condition. Some of the symptoms that they need to watch out for include severe abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Bowel Obstruction

There is a reported increased risk of bowel obstruction with semaglutide use. This is a condition where part or whole of the bowel is blocked, requiring immediate medical attention.

Manufacturer Stated Side Effects 

Other common side effects provided by the manufacturer include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Feeling bloated
• Belching
• Gas
• Stomach flu
• Heartburn

Such side effects might very much influence an individual’s daily life. For example, patients with gastroparesis may feel perpetual nausea and vomiting. It causes nutritional deficiency and decreases the quality of life. The symptoms can be so severe and chronic, forcing the patient to seek medical attention more often. This then can become one of the only things that matters in a patient’s everyday life.

Key Legal Proceedings and Milestones

July 7, 2024 – Vision Loss Risk Linked to Wegovy Use

The Wegovy lawsuit was expanded to include vision loss. 

A new study shows Wegovy may increase the risk of vision loss. The specific condition it may cause is called Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). 

Dr. Jimena Hathaway’s study followed over sixteen thousand people for six years. It found those taking Wegovy were four to seven times more likely to develop NAION. Similar risks were found for Ozempic and Rybelsus, also made by Novo Nordisk.

June 11, 2024

Cases in the Wegovy litigation are projected to reach over 10,000. This means over 10,000 people are claiming to have been injured by the drug without proper warning of the risks. 

June 6, 2024 

Judge Gene E.K. Pratter sadly passed away, briefly putting the Wegovy Lawsuit on hold. She will be replaced by Judge Karen Marston, who will oversee the weight loss drug MDL.

April 2024: Proposed Slate of Lawyers

A slate of lawyers recommended by the plaintiffs’ steering committee is selected. They are tasked with navigating the Wegovy litigation. 

These lawyers have the enormous job of managing the case intricacies. For that to be achieved, the team must handle discovery and argue key motions. They must also maintain effective communication among all plaintiff representatives. Their role in these cases is very crucial. It would enable the thousands of litigants involved to be coordinated and represented.

March 2024

March 2024: Judge Assignment

Judge Gene E.K. Pratter was selected by the Court to preside over the Wegovy litigation. She has handled many large-scale litigations before. This experience puts her in a good position to be a leader in this MDL.

March 2024: MDL Consolidation Confirmed

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation agrees to consolidate Wegovy lawsuits. They are combined into one multidistrict litigation. The step consolidates all those cases in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

This enhances the efficiency of the pre-trial proceedings. MDL is designed to serve unified pretrial proceedings in cases with common questions. This helps manage them efficiently for the parties and the courts.

February 2024: MDL Initial Consolidation

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidates over 55 lawsuits. These will be unified in one multidistrict litigation. These semaglutide-related cases are being centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. It’s a preliminary order in anticipation of many more to come. It sets up efforts to streamline the efficiency of pretrial proceedings.

January 2024: FDA Evaluation on Suicidal Thoughts

The FDA announced findings of an investigation of suicidal ideation and behavior with semaglutide use. Their review did not find any clinical evidence to associate the use of these drugs with suicidal behaviors.

The FDA did decide to keep the risk under evaluation. They have not ruled out that there is possibly a slight risk with these medications.  The agency concluded by advising patients to continue the use of medications. They advised patients to consult a healthcare provider if they experience adverse psychological symptoms

December 2023: Judicial Progress in Failure-to-Warn Case

A federal judge in Louisiana has allowed a major case to move forward against Ozempic and Wegovy. This particularly deals with the failure-to-warn claims. All other claims in the case were dismissed. The decision underlines the need for proper information to patients about risks of drugs.

November 2023: Canadian Class-Action Initiation

A class-action lawsuit has been initiated by patients in Canada. They claim Novo Nordisk did not alert the public enough about risks. In particular, they point to the possibility of developing gastroparesis as a result of using its drug. The suit is trying to hold the company responsible. It says that the company failed to give the public sufficient information on patient safety.

September 2023: FDA Warning Update

The FDA, responding to emerging data, updated Ozempic and Wegovy warning labels to include risks of intestinal blockage and ileus. This was in response to increased regulatory scrutiny over potential drug side effects.

August 2023: Early Lawsuit Filings

Jaclyn Bjorklund files one of the very first complaints against Ozempic and Mounjaro. She lists her claim as gastroparesis. This will stand to be an important development noting that lawsuits continue against semaglutide products.

July 2023: Medication Shortage Report

There were shortages of both Ozempic and Wegovy, indicating high demand and ongoing concerns over their use.

August 2022: Beginning of Legal Proceedings for Patent Infringement

Legal action begins with the consolidation of seven lawsuits. These are against Novo Nordisk in Delaware. This concentrates on allegations of patent violation for Ozempic generics. New allegations were surfacing that linked Ozempic with gallbladder problems at the same time, opening a new front in litigation.

Legal Scrutiny Over Semaglutide Side Effects

As stated above, Lawsuits have been raised because of semaglutide. This is an active ingredient in the drug Wegovy. The claims indicate semaglutide caused severe problems with some people’s gastrointestinal systems.

The court will assess the link between side effects and health risks. Legal proceedings take place on whether the warnings were enough or not. Then the court will decide whether the warnings given were sufficient or not.

The Science Behind Wegovy and Legal Implications

Studies suggest semaglutide may slow the emptying of the stomach. This is significant in legal arguments regarding patient harm from having taken Wegovy.

Lawsuits are attempting to argue that manufacturer Novo Nordisk was aware. Awareness of risks but failing to warn is central to this case.

Exploring the Ingredients in Wegovy

The principal active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that is designed to be like a hormone naturally found in the body.

Inactive ingredients include sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water.

They each have specific purposes. Sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate acts as a buffering agent. Sodium chloride maintains tonicity. Water is the injection vehicle. Each of the elements plays a role in the stability and delivery of the medication.

The role of these other ingredients is being analyzed and investigated as well.

Attorneys and scientists analyze how each ingredient might interact with the human body. Thereby, how they may affect the drug’s effectiveness. Or, they could add to the adverse reactions reported by consumers. That is where a more plausible connection could potentially be made. It might link Wegovy’s composition with specific health issues.

Gastroparesis Claims in Wegovy Lawsuits

Gastroparesis is an important point in Wegovy lawsuits. This is a condition where stomach emptying is delayed without physical blockage.. 

Symptoms of this condition include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a feeling of fullness. All impact quality of life. These symptoms are often highlighted in individual lawsuits. They show the possible adverse effects of medications like Wegovy.

Two cases in particular suggest a link between Wegovy to gastroparesis. In one case, a man with a history of type 2 diabetes began semaglutide therapy. He later developed significant gastroparesis symptoms. Stopping the medication appeared to lead to a marked improvement in symptoms. A repeat gastric emptying study showed normal results.”

This is one of many claims that have led to the ongoing investigation of a potential link to gastroparesis. It suggests the medication worsens symptoms or triggers the condition.

Wegovy Research and Medical Studies

Recent studies focus on Wegovy’s role in users developing gastroparesis. GLP-1 agonists, including semaglutide, are very important to this research. They have been found to slow stomach emptying. This slowing is a leading symptom of gastroparesis.

There are potentially huge legal implications of these studies. They support the lawsuit claims on side effects.

The study results are mixed when it comes to semaglutide use and thyroid cancer. There is some evidence that it causes cancer in rodents, but human evidence is not conclusive. 

A 2022 French study observed an increase in thyroid cancer among semaglutide users. However in 2023, a review found no strong association of semaglutide with cancer. The European Medicines Agency also didn’t find any direct cancer link.

In another study, about a third reported major side effects. Seventeen percent discontinued the use of Wegovy due to GI problems. Only 8% of the placebo group did the same.

Who Can File a Wegovy Semaglutide Lawsuit?

Any Wegovy patient who has been diagnosed with gastroparesis should be aware that they are a potential candidate for a lawsuit. This extends to patients who, after starting Wegovy, suffered severe side effects.

Please note, that these cases require a clear connection. Gastroparesis symptoms must be clearly related to the use of Wegovy.

If you feel your health issues stem from Wegovy, consult an attorney about your case. A skilled attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf. If you qualify, all your medical documentation and proof will be filed to support your allegations in court.

What to Expect When Filing a Wegovy Lawsuit

A Wegovy lawsuit is complicated. At Winder Law Firm, we try to make it easy and convenient. Here is the process:

1. First Consultation: You start by meeting with us for a free and confidential case review. We consider how Wegovy affects your health.
2. Case Preparation: We help you gather all necessary documents. This includes medical records and evidence of side effects. Our team guides you through documenting your experiences to strengthen your claim.
3. Navigating Legal Proceedings: We manage the initial filings and oversee the legal processes. You’ll be kept informed throughout the process.
4. Continued Support: Winder Law Firm is by your side throughout the process. We provide continuous support and updates.

Consult a Wegovy Lawyer Today

Are you experiencing serious side effects after using Wegov? You may want to consult with a lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options. At Winder Law Firm, we understand that injury cases are very involved. We are here to help walk you through the process.

Why Choose Us?

Strong Advice: Attorney Aaron Winder, with experience in personal injury law, has a history of diligently representing his clients. He will professionally handle your case.

Personalized Attention: Winder Law Firm puts your best interests first. We take you through the legal process with transparency. You will receive unwavering support from us.

Act Now: The sooner you act, the greater the likelihood more legal options are available. Contact Winder Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Fill out the contact form to get started!

Resources for Gastroparesis Patients

If you or someone you know is managing gastroparesis, several resources are available. They can provide support, medical info, and advocacy. 

Here are some helpful links and references:

1. Aboutgastroparesis.org by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
   This is an informational resource about gastroparesis. It covers symptoms, treatment, and living with the condition. The resource also includes current research on the disease.

1. G-PACT
   A not-for-profit organization devoted to raising awareness and searching for better treatments. It aims to cure gastroparesis and other digestive diseases. This org provides many types of support programs and patient resources.
2. Gastroparesisclinic
   The first to launch a free, online psychological support program for gastroparesis. It offers expert-reviewed information on the disease and its impact on mental health. There is also a 5-week program to help people manage their condition.

1. Cure GP Community
   An advocacy-based group to find a cure for Gastroparesis. They offer resources, awareness campaigns, and advocacy. They promote community support through their website, and on social media.

FAQs about the Wegovy Lawsuit

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about Wegovy litigation.

Is there a lawsuit against Wegovy?

Yes, there are ongoing lawsuits alleging severe side effects from using Wegovy.

What are the Wegovy lawsuits about?

Wegovy lawsuits allege the drug may cause severe side effects, including gastroparesis.

Who is eligible to file a Wegovy lawsuit?

Individuals who experienced severe side effects like gastroparesis from Wegovy may be eligible to sue.

How much does a Wegovy lawyer cost?

Many Wegovy lawyers work on a contingency basis, charging fees only if you win the case. Consult your attorney to understand their specific fee structure.

Who makes Wegovy?

Novo Nordisk manufactures Wegovy.

Are Wegovy and Ozempic the same drug?

No, Wegovy and Ozempic are not the same but both contain the active ingredient semaglutide.

Is semaglutide the same as Wegovy?

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy, not the drug itself.

Does Wegovy cause gastroparesis?

Wegovy has been allegedly linked to cases of gastroparesis in some users.

Can Wegovy cause cancer?

Current research has not definitively linked Wegovy to cancer, but studies are ongoing.