Thousands of Lawsuits Against Ozempic as Concerns Grow Over Side Effects

An example of Ozempic (image source)

The once-beloved diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic is now at the centre of a sprawling legal storm. In the U.S., claims related to adverse side effects — including gastroparesis and vision impairment — have blossomed into a full-scale multidistrict litigation (MDL), now tallying over 2,190 active lawsuits as of August 2025.

The numbers reflect a steady upward trend: 1,882 claims in June, 1,997 in July, and just over 110 in mid-2024 climbing to 345 by August of that year — a 200% monthly increase. By early 2025, litigation had already reached nearly 1,443 claims in February, with momentum showing no signs of slowing.

Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers, primarily Novo Nordisk, failed to adequately warn users of serious gastrointestinal injuries such as gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), intestinal obstruction, and even vision loss linked to NAION (nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy). A recent study suggests that semaglutide — Ozempic’s active ingredient — may carry a higher risk of vision impairment compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Law firms involved in the MDL note that no cases have yet been resolved, but the structure of the litigation allows for shared discovery and coordinated rulings, while still giving each plaintiff the right to an individual trial. Attorneys expect filings to continue increasing over the coming months.

For Zimbabwean readers, the repercussions may seem geographically distant, but awareness is crucial. Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs are gaining recognition outside the U.S., especially in private clinics and wellness communities. While Zimbabwe’s local market remains limited, medical regulators and practitioners should closely monitor these legal and medical developments. Should a class action or global settlement occur, questions around safety warnings, off-label use, and informed consent could resonate locally — potentially prompting a review of prescribing practices.

Ultimately, the Ozempic litigation underscores two key global lessons: first, that medications initially hailed as breakthroughs can later be revealed to carry significant, under-communicated risks; and second, that the pace of legal mobilisation — over 2,000 lawsuits within months — is both unprecedented and cautionary. For anyone considering or already using such drugs, obtaining full and transparent medical advice remains the best safeguard against unexpected harm.