Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity Face Mounting Lawsuits Over Stomach Paralysis Risks

Publish Date : 08/28/2025

The booming weight-loss and diabetes drug industry is facing a legal reckoning. Patients across the U.S. are filing lawsuits against pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, alleging the blockbuster medications Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, and Trulicity cause severe gastrointestinal injuries like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and intestinal obstruction.

A complaint filed August 12, 2025, in Pennsylvania federal court alleges the prescribed use of Trulicity, Ozempic, and Mounjaro left the plaintiff with debilitating nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, eventually requiring emergency medical treatment and hospitalization. The case echoes nearly 2,600 other lawsuits now consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL 3094) overseen by U.S. District Judge Karen Marston in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Core Allegation

At the center of these cases is a claim drugmakers failed to properly warn doctors and patients about known risks. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the drug class behind these brands, work by slowing gastric emptying to help control blood sugar and reduce appetite. But plaintiffs argue this same mechanism can dangerously impair digestion, leading to stomach paralysis. Unlike naturally occurring GLP-1, these engineered drugs can remain in the body for over 100 hours, amplifying risks long after the last dose.

Plaintiffs contend the manufacturers chose profits over safety – marketing these drugs aggressively while downplaying or omitting warnings about stomach paralysis.

Billions of Dollars on the Line

Analysts have speculated the litigation could top $2 billion in potential liability, though no official figure has been confirmed. The cases remain in the early stages, with bellwether trials scheduled to begin shaping the trajectory of settlements and payouts.

For now, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly deny wrongdoing, insisting the drugs are safe when used as directed and pointing to FDA approvals and years of clinical data. Still, the growing volume of lawsuits, and accompanying stories, suggests the battle is far from over.

Why It Matters

These drugs are not niche. Ozempic alone has become a household name, often prescribed off-label for weight loss. With millions of patients worldwide on GLP-1s, the outcome of this litigation will have massive implications for the pharmaceutical industry, regulators, and most importantly—the patients who trusted these medications with their health.

Interested to Know if You Have a Weight Loss Drug Claim?

Please feel free to contact a weight loss drug Lawsuit attorney at info@westrikeback.com or 1-877-542-4646. One of our experienced lawyers will help evaluate your claim and explain your legal rights for free. McSweeney / Langevin is providing consultations to individuals throughout the United States. Information provided by email or phone will be kept confidential.