Patients taking Ozempic® or Wegovy® face a heightened risk of pulmonary aspiration and death during surgeries involving general anesthesia. Lawsuits against Ozempic® claim that these health problems stem directly from the use of the diabetes and weight loss medication.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic® is the brand name for a semaglutide pen injector manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Semaglutide medications help increase insulin release, making them effective for managing Type 2 diabetes and aiding in weight loss. Other well-known semaglutide drugs include Rybelsus® and Wegovy®. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ozempic® is used to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which use peptides that mimic natural hormones responsible for satiety. Semaglutide is one of these peptides, though other GLP-1 RAs may use different peptides. By mimicking satiety hormones, Ozempic® targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake, helping to moderate both insulin release and appetite. The FDA advises that Ozempic® doses must be gradually increased each week to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Patients are typically expected to take the medication long-term, as studies indicate that discontinuation often leads to weight regain. However, prolonged use may also increase the likelihood of side effects.
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Health Issues Related to Ozempic®
The FDA is currently investigating health issues linked to Ozempic®, based on reports filed through its FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). This system allows consumers to report adverse reactions to products. A recent FAERS report shows the FDA is examining whether several GLP-1 RA drugs, including Ozempic®, may cause intestinal obstructions. In September 2023, the FDA updated Ozempic’s warning label to include this risk.
In addition to consumer reports, emerging research has raised concerns about semaglutide drugs. A May 2023 letter to the editor published in Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B discussed the potential adverse effects of drugs like Ozempic® on the small intestine. The letter noted that these effects are not sufficiently studied in clinical trials, as the trials generally last less than a year, while intestinal obstructions tend to appear 1.6 years after starting GLP-1 RA treatments. A study cited in the letter involving over 25,000 participants found a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of intestinal obstruction among those taking GLP-1 RA drugs.
Other studies have also linked Ozempic® to intestinal blockages and gallbladder disease. Symptoms of intestinal blockages may include:
Abdominal cramps and swelling
Constipation
Difficulty passing gas or having a bowel movement
Vomiting
Doctors have also reported cases of stomach paralysis (gastroparesis) in patients using semaglutide medications. Gastroparesis affects the stomach's nerves and muscles, causing delayed gastric emptying, where food remains in the stomach for too long. Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal bloating and pain
- Acid reflux
- Blood sugar fluctuations
- Constipation
- Early satiety
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Malnutrition
- Nausea and vomiting
Any patients taking Ozempic (or any other GLP-1 RA) should speak with their doctor immediately if any of these symptoms arise.
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