Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have taken America by storm. Doctors have prescribed these GLP-1 medications to help people manage their type 2 diabetes and treat their obesity. The popularity and demand is extremely high. It’s estimated that 12% of Americans have used a GLP-1 agonist.

While many people have found success with GLP-1s, others who’ve taken these diabetes and weight loss medications have experienced severe side effects. For some GLP-1 patients, the medications have caused life-threatening medical problems even though they followed their doctor’s orders.

If you suffered from serious health problems after taking a GLP-1 drug, our lawyers in Miami can help you file a GLP-1 lawsuit. The attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for compensation in a free case review.


About GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a wide range of drugs used to lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. These medications are also known as GLP-1 analogs, incretin mimetics, and GLP-1 RAs.

GLP-1 medications were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. After observing the weight loss benefits in diabetes patients, other GLP-1s were developed and approved specifically to treat obesity. Today, there are GLP-1 drugs made for diabetic patients (e.g., Ozempic and Mounjaro) and GLP-1s intended for weight loss patients (e.g., Wegovy and Zepbound).

The popularity of the weight loss GLP-1 medications has caused major shortages and high prices. This in turn has led to diabetes GLP-1 medications being prescribed off-label to promote weight loss in obese and overweight patients.

How GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Work

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of satiety. GLP-1 agonists mimic this hormone, improving blood sugar levels, slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, and helping you feel satiated.

In basic terms, GLP-1 drugs make you feel full for a longer amount of time so you don’t consume as many calories during the day.

Popular Brand Names for GLP-1 Drugs

There are numerous brand names out there for semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide medications. The most famous of these is the semaglutide marketed under the brand name Ozempic. In fact, many people use “Ozempic” as a catch-all term for various GLP-1 products.

Floridians may recognize the following brand names of GLP-1 weight loss drugs:

  • Ozempic (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
  • Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
  • Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
  • Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can represent Miami clients in lawsuits for any of the GLP-1 products listed above.

Common Side Effects of GLP-1 Agonists

Mild and temporary side effects from GLP-1 drugs are common. These minor side effects include reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.

These minor side effects are most common when patients start taking their prescription GLP-1 agonists. The side effects typically subside as the patient gets used to taking the medication and their body adjusts to the dosage.

Serious Health Complications Linked to GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

Some GLP-1 patients in Miami have experienced severe side effects and health problems. In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones, patients have also suffered from:

  • Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – While nausea and occasional vomiting are common side effects of GLP-1 agonists, some patients experience frequent vomiting that lasts for two weeks or more. Repeated vomiting can cause severe dehydration, damage to the esophagus, and acidic erosion of the tooth enamel.
  • Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is when the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not push food into the small intestine. This keeps food in the stomach for far too long and doesn’t allow it to get digested. If this condition is left untreated, gastroparesis could contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and a host of other health problems.
  • Intestinal Obstruction – An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine or part of the large intestine that prevents food from passing through a person’s digestive tract. If not treated, intestinal obstructions could cause death of the surrounding tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
  • Bowel Obstruction (Ileus) – Bowel obstructions are intestinal blockages in the large intestine and colon. Like obstructions of the small intestine, bowel obstructions could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis without proper treatment.

If a person develops these complications from GLP-1 drug use, they will require emergency care and hospitalization. In extreme cases of intestinal obstruction, a person may need an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. These complications could prove fatal if a person does not receive urgent medical attention. 

Symptoms and Warnings Signs to Look Out For

If you’re concerned that the use of GLP-1 medication has caused a serious health issue, here are the most common warning signs of the complications described above:

  • Frequent nausea
  • Excessive vomiting
  • Acid reflux (GERD)
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lack of bowel movements

If you have experienced any of the listed symptoms, seek medical attention right away. When you are well enough, you can reach out to our Miami GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys for a free case review.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Health Problems Related to GLP-1 Drugs?

Potentially, yes. If you suffered severe injuries from taking GLP-1 medications, you may be eligible to receive compensation from Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and Company.

While both drug companies provide warning labels about common side effects of their GLP-1 medications, their labels may not provide adequate warning about severe complications such as stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, or bowel obstruction.

Had people been warned about the severity of these rare complications, they might not have taken a GLP-1 drug in the first place.

Eligibility to File a GLP-1 Lawsuit in Miami, FL

You may qualify for a GLP-1 lawsuit if you were prescribed a GLP-1 drug and suffered serious health complications as a result. However, certain medical conditions, surgical procedures, or other factors could prevent you from seeking compensation.

It’s important to speak with our Miami GLP-1 lawsuit lawyers as soon as possible. Our attorneys can discuss what happened to you and determine if you are eligible to seek compensation from Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and Company.

How Much Can I Win in a GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Lawsuit?

That depends on a number of factors specific to your experiences taking GLP-1 medications. As part of the free case review, our attorneys can discuss the harm, lasting hardships, and financial losses you experienced and what that could mean for your legal claim.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your GLP-1 Drug Lawsuit

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are nationwide leaders in complex, high-stakes litigation. With offices in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, our law firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

Since 2008, our law firm has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in large complex  lawsuits. This includes a recent $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

In addition to offering free case reviews, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our lawyers anything unless we can recover money for you.

How Can I Learn More About Filing a GLP-1 Lawsuit?

If you or someone you care about has experienced severe health issues after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or any similar weight loss medications, contact our GLP-1 lawyers in Miami about filing a lawsuit. Our weight loss drug attorneys can evaluate your eligibility for a lawsuit during a free case review.

 

 

GLP-1 Lawsuit