Is Using Ozempic for Weight Loss Dangerous?

Ozempic has changed the way people think about weight loss. Thanks to semaglutide injections, people have been able to shed excess body mass while also improving their blood sugar levels. It’s estimated that 12% of the American population has taken Ozempic or a similar GLP-1 drug like Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Rybelsus.

While Ozempic has many users and vocal proponents, a number of people have developed serious complications after taking the medication as directed. It’s led to many questions about the safety of Ozempic and the potential health risks of taking semaglutide drugs for weight loss.

Below are some answers about Ozempic, its overall safety, and potential health problems that could develop in people who take semaglutides and other GLP-1s. If you were harmed while taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or any of the popular weight loss drugs on the market, the attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility to seek compensation in a lawsuit.

 

What is Ozempic and how does it work?

Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable semaglutide medication originally made to help manage type 2 diabetes. The drug was developed by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark. Ozempic received initial FDA approval for diabetes treatment in 2017.

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a naturally recurring hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of hunger. GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic mimic this hormone, causing the following effects in the body:

• Increased insulin production and lower blood sugar
• Slowed down gastric emptying and digestion
• Reduced sensations of hunger throughout the day

People lose weight on Ozempic because they feel full for long stretches of the day and wind up consuming fewer calories.

How is Ozempic different from Wegovy?

Ozempic has become a catch-all term for many different GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy, which was also developed by Novo Nordisk.

While Ozempic was originally developed for people with type 2 diabetes, Wegovy was developed specifically for people who just want to lose weight. Wegovy received FDA approval in 2021. Ozempic and Wegovy are similar, but the maximum dosage of Wegovy is typically higher than Ozempic.

Wegovy’s popularity/lack of availability has led some doctors to prescribe Ozempic off-label to patients who want to lose weight.

If Ozempic is for diabetes patients, is off-label use safe for patients who are not diabetic?

Generally, off-label Ozempic use for weight loss can be safe. However, patients need to follow their doctor’s instructions and pay close attention to their side effects and potential health issues while they are taking Ozempic off-label.

Keep in mind that even if you follow doctor’s orders to the letter, there is still a chance that you could suffer serious complications from taking Ozempic.

What are the typical side effects of Ozempic?

Mild and temporary side effects are common when patients first start taking Ozempic. These minor side effects include:

• Reduced appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Will I be safe taking Ozempic if I experience any of the common side effects?

Yes, if it’s just the normal side effects of Ozempic, you should be safe taking the drug as directed.

For many Ozempic patients, these initial side effects subside once they get used to taking the medication. Keep in mind that some of these side effects may persist even after initially taking the drug.

What are the serious health complications linked to using Ozempic?

Some patients have experienced serious health problems from Ozempic. These complications include:

• Severe and prolonged vomiting
• Changes in vision (often related to diabetic retinopathy)
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Increased risk of thyroid cancer
• Stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)
• Intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction (ileus)

If you experience any of the above health issues, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What do you mean by frequent and prolonged vomiting?

While some vomiting and nausea is common when taking Ozempic, it becomes a serious side effect when a person vomits several times a day for a period of two weeks or longer.

What are the health risks of frequent and prolonged vomiting?

Frequent vomiting generally means you are unable to keep food or fluids down. When this happens, the most common health risks include:

• Severe malnutrition
• Severe dehydration
• Injuries to the tissue of the esophagus and throat
• Acidic erosion of the tooth enamel and possible tooth loss

What is stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)?

Stomach paralysis occurs when the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not push food into the small intestine to get digested. Ozempic slows down the digestive process, but gastroparesis means that digestion cannot happen.

What are the symptoms of stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)?

The most common symptoms of stomach paralysis include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Indegestion
• Stomach pain, particularly around the upper abdomen
• Abdominal bloating
• Total lack of appetite
• Heartburn
• Constipation

For some Ozempic patients who experience frequent and prolonged vomiting, it’s an early warning sign that they have stomach paralysis.

What could happen if stomach paralysis (gastroparesis) goes untreated?

Left untreated, stomach paralysis can cause severe malnutrition and dehydration.

In addition, undigested food that has not been regurgitated could form into a hard mass known as a bezoar. This bezoar could remain in the stomach and potentially block the passage of food into the small intestine and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. If the bezoar does pass into the small intestine, it can cause blockage or obstructions further down the GI tract.

What is an intestinal obstruction?

An intestinal obstruction refers to any kind of blockage in the small or large intestine that prevents the passage of food through the GI tract. While Ozempic slows down the digestion process, an intestinal obstruction means that regular digestion cannot occur.

What are the symptoms of an intestinal obstruction?

The most common symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

What could happen if an intestinal obstruction goes untreated?

If left untreated, intestinal obstructions could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity. This is a serious and potentially fatal condition known as peritonitis.

Some patients with severe intestinal obstructions need to have surgery to remove the dead or damaged tissue of the small or large intestine. This could require the use of an ileostomy bag for the rest of a person’s life.

What is a bowel obstruction?

A bowel obstruction is an intestinal blockage that affects the lower intestine or the colon. These blockages disrupt the completion of the digestive process, preventing a person from voiding their bowels.

What are the symptoms of bowel obstruction?

As with intestinal blockages, the most common signs of a bowel obstruction include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

What could happen if a bowel obstruction goes untreated?

Left untreated, bowel obstructions could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and peritonitis. There is also the risk of pressure building up in the GI tract and causing a tear in the intestines, releasing bacteria into the abdominal cavity. This can cause sepsis, which is the body’s extreme and life-threatening reaction to an infection.

Some patients with severe bowel obstructions need to have surgery to remove the dead or damaged tissue of the colon and large intestine. This could require the use of a colostomy bag for the rest of a person’s life.

Is Wegovy safer than Ozempic as a weight loss drug?

While Wegovy was designed specifically for weight loss, some obese and overweight patients who’ve taken Wegovy have also reported severe health complications from the drug, including the conditions we’ve discussed above (gastroparesis, intestinal blockage, etc.).

Can I sue Novo Nordisk if I develop health problems using Ozempic or Wegovy?

Potentially, yes.

If you took Ozempic or Wegovy and suffered severe health issues or a medical emergency, you may be eligible to file a legal claim against Novo Nordisk and seek compensation. The lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can provide answers to your questions about Ozempic litigation.

How much compensation could I receive from Novo Nordisk in an Ozempic lawsuit?

This will vary from person to person based on the health problems they experienced, the cost of any previous and ongoing medical treatment, and the long-term effect of the health issues on a person’s quality of life.

Since the amount of compensation is considered on an individual basis, it’s best to discuss what happened to you with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

How can I learn more about legal action over GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy?

To learn more about potential compensation through a legal action, contact Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for a free case review.

Our law firm is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. We have secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts over the years, which includes actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans. We’re ready to speak to you.