Legally Reviewed
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by Tort Defenders’ writers and staff and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney.
Ozempic is a semaglutide injection from the family of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Patients inject this medication weekly, often into the soft tissue of the abdomen. Ozempic is prescribed to help patients with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. However, it has also shown promising results in helping people lose weight.
While Ozempic use has increased significantly in recent years — nearly 1.7% of Americans were prescribed a semaglutide medication in 2023 — some patients have experienced negative side effects from these injections. These side effects range from mild discomfort to pain that results in hospitalization. Read more about these side effects and why legal action may be necessary.
Common Ozempic Side Effects
All medications have potential side effects and adverse reactions, and Ozempic is no different. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the most common reactions to Ozempic are “nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation,” with more than 5% of patients reporting these symptoms.
Even though Ozempic is a popular tool for managing diabetes and supporting weight loss, some patients might not be willing to put up with this discomfort. Here is an explanation of each one in greater detail.
Nausea
Nausea can make you feel lightheaded and often comes with the urge to vomit. Starting a new medication like Ozempic can leave you feeling nauseous, especially because the medication slows down your digestive functions. Because Ozempic slows your digestion, you might feel nauseous if you overeat because your stomach cannot handle all of the food.
Vomiting
Vomiting is another side effect of overeating on Ozempic because your stomach isn’t able to process all of the food quickly enough. Since the medication causes food to remain in your stomach for a longer period of time, excess food can strain the stomach’s nerves and lead to this unfortunate side effect.
Frequent vomiting can have serious negative effects on the body. In the short run, you risk becoming dehydrated and losing key nutrients that your body otherwise would have digested. In the long run, stomach acid can harm your esophagus and erode tooth enamel.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a loose, watery stool that occurs three or more times a day. Long-term diarrhea can cause dehydration and malabsorption, which occurs when your body doesn’t absorb enough nutrients.
Patients may experience diarrhea on Ozempic if the body views the medication as a potential threat and tries to evacuate the bowels as a defense mechanism.
Headache
A headache could be a side effect of dehydration, exhaustion, or skipping meals. You may develop headaches while on Ozempic because of the other gastro-related symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of these side effects may go away during treatment. This is because your body is adjusting to the medication and how it affects your various systems. However, these symptoms could also worsen or potentially indicate a more serious issue that you need to address.
Severe Side Effects of Ozempic
Some patients who take Ozempic may experience severe side effects that cause them to seek emergency medical treatment. These conditions may begin after starting Ozempic and can have lasting effects that require medication and treatment of their own. They can even be life-threatening. Here are a few potential severe side effects that may occur.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the pancreas. Because Ozempic stimulates this organ, one of the side effects can be either chronic or acute pancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, swelling in your abdomen, and fever. Patients with pancreatitis may be hospitalized and could need surgery.
Kidney Problems
Some patients taking Ozempic have also reported acute kidney injuries or chronic kidney disease. The kidneys are essential to your overall health, as they process your body’s waste by turning it into urine. Patients who developed kidney disease while on Ozempic experienced a “rapid decline in kidney function” that did not improve after they stopped taking the medication.
Allergic Reactions
Patients may also experience allergic reactions to the chemicals in Ozempic. These include rashes, itchy skin, hypersensitivity, and other common side effects like nausea. While these reactions can be severe, researchers have found that anaphylaxis is rare when taking Ozempic or similar medications.
If you experience an allergic reaction to the drug, talk to your doctor and stop taking Ozempic.
Reporting Adverse Reactions to Ozempic
If your doctor prescribes Ozempic or a similar semaglutide treatment for weight loss or type 2 diabetes, track any negative side effects you experience. A medical calendar or journal will help you document the frequency and severity of these side effects. You can also use this log to record any thoughts or concerns you have, along with questions you have for your doctor.
A medical log can help you feel more informed when discussing your symptoms with your medical team. For example, you can report exactly how often you experience nausea or gastrointestinal distress. You can also report how these symptoms interfered with your life.
This log can also help you strengthen potential legal claims if you decide to bring a case against Ozempic’s manufacturer. You will have clear records of the negative side effects that came with taking Ozempic.
Seeking Legal Action for Ozempic Side Effects
If you’ve experienced significant negative side effects from taking Ozempic, such as spending at least one night in the hospital, you may be able to seek legal action against Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer.
There are currently multiple lawsuits against Novo Nordisk, the drug manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy. Through a mass tort, you may be compensated for the cost of your medical treatment because of severe Ozempic side effects and for the pain and suffering you experienced.
The first step when bringing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Ozempic is to hire an experienced lawyer to take on your case. Trusted legal representatives can guide you through the mass tort process and help you overcome any hurdles you encounter. They can also help you gather evidence, like your symptom calendar and medical records, to strengthen your Ozempic lawsuit. You don’t have to navigate this process alone; your legal team can stand by you every step of the way.