Ozempic Users Speak Out Over Side Effects, Lawsuits Against Novo Nordisk And Eli Lilly Surge

Scores of patients are reportedly taking legal action against pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly And Co LLY and Novo Nordisk A/S NVS, alleging severe complications after taking their medications to manage diabetes and aid weight loss.

Bronston, a resident of Kayenta, Arizona, said he endured severe discomfort while taking Ozempic, a drug recommended by his doctor to manage diabetes, USA Today reports.

Despite experiencing distressing side effects like severe diarrhea, he continued the medication until he landed in the hospital, undergoing gallbladder removal surgery.

These lawsuits, numbering more than five dozen, highlight a growing concern among users of GLP-1 agonists, a popular class of drugs prescribed for diabetes and weight loss. 

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the two major manufacturers, are facing accusations of failing to adequately warn patients about potential side effects such as gallbladder issues and gastroparesis.

Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, faces the brunt of legal action, with over 60 lawsuits consolidated before a federal judge in Philadelphia. 

Meanwhile, more litigants are considering joining the legal battle as attorneys await guidance from the court. 

Andrew Van Arsdale, representing around 2,000 individuals with adverse reactions to diabetes and weight loss drugs, anticipates filing a significant number of lawsuits once parameters are established.

As legal proceedings unfold, drugmakers stand firm on the safety and efficacy of their medications. 

However, the mounting lawsuits cast a shadow over the pharmaceutical industry’s blockbuster category of medications, raising questions about the balance between benefits and potential risks for patients seeking to manage their health conditions.

In December, Pfizer Inc PFE shared topline data from the Phase 2b trial of danuglipron (PF-06882961) in adults with obesity and without type 2 diabetes. 

The company says the study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant change in body weight from baseline, but danuglipron was tied to “high rates” of mild gastrointestinal side effects, leading to more than half of the patients across all dose groups dropping out from the trial. 

Price Action: LLY shares are up 0.42% at $773.50, and NVO shares are down 0.72% at $128.89 on the last check Friday.

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