Seeking Justice For Digestive Issues Caused By Ozempic, Wegovy And Rybelsus
There are always risks when taking prescription medications. However, sometimes, harmful effects are caused by irresponsible manufacturers. The attorneys at Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, PLLC, help people in West Virginia and beyond hold drug manufacturers responsible for severe side effects and pursue compensation to support their recovery.
What Are Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, And How Do They Work?
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are prescription medications intended to treat Type 2 diabetes. Some patients take the drugs for weight loss. Ozempic and Wegovy are administered via injection, while Rybelsus is a pill taken orally.
All three medications are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). They also each have the same active ingredient, semaglutide. This substance controls high blood sugar levels by slowing the passage of food through the digestive tract.
What Harmful Side Effects Do These Drugs Cause?
Using Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus has been linked with gastroparesis, also called stomach paralysis. Gastroparesis is characterized by a weakening of the stomach muscles that move food through the digestive tract. Using these drugs can weaken muscles to the degree that the stomach doesn’t empty or doesn’t do so properly. Gastroparesis is a rare, severe condition that affects only about one in 100,000 people. There’s no cure – treatment can only address the symptoms.
The symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain or bloating in the abdomen
- Getting full from little food
- Changes in blood sugar content
- Acid reflux
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
Several dangerous complications can result from gastroparesis, including dehydration, malnutrition, unstable blood sugar and bezoars. Bezoars are solid masses of food that sit in the stomach and cause blockages, ulcers and internal bleeding. Gastroparesis significantly lowers the quality of life of those who have it.
How A Lawsuit Can Help Victims Recover
The main legal issue in cases of gastroparesis caused by Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus is whether Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, was aware of the risk and failed to warn patients.
If successful, compensation recovered through a lawsuit can help patients adversely affected by the drugs with:
- Past and future medical expenses related to their treatment, including surgery
- Income lost due to their condition or diminished earning capacity
- The pain and suffering the illness caused
- The enjoyment they missed out on because of their condition
In some cases, punitive damages could also be available.
Who Can File A Lawsuit?
Our firm looks into cases of Ozempic, Rybelsus or Wegovy patients who:
- Are under 75 years old
- Developed gastroparesis while taking the drugs or within 30 days of stopping use
- Had to go to the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital due to the condition
If you meet the above criteria, we’d like to learn more about your situation and see if we can help you.
Talk To An Attorney Today
To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call our office at 800-797-9730 or reach out through our website.