If you’ve used a weight loss medication or type 2 diabetes drug in recent years, you may have heard about growing concerns regarding their potential to cause serious injuries or life-threatening side effects. As pharmaceutical research evolves, so does our understanding of the long-term effects of these widely prescribed medications. This comprehensive guide explores the risks, alleged injuries, and safety issues tied to several well-known diabetes and weight loss drugs.
Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, it's important to stay informed. Below, we break down the most frequently cited drugs and their potential links to complications such as gastroparesis, pancreatitis, thyroid tumors, kidney damage, and more.
Overview of Weight Loss and Diabetes Medications
Many weight loss drugs and type 2 diabetes medications aim to regulate blood sugar, suppress appetite, or mimic hormones involved in insulin secretion and digestion. The most common classes include:
- GLP-1 receptor agonists: Mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone to slow digestion and promote insulin release.
- SGLT2 inhibitors: Prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose, leading to sugar excretion in urine.
- DPP-4 inhibitors: Enhance the body’s own ability to lower blood sugar.
- Anorectics and combination drugs: Curb appetite or combine multiple mechanisms to promote weight loss.
While these medications can be effective, they have also been linked to serious adverse reactions that have prompted lawsuits and public health warnings.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
GLP-1 receptor agonists are among the most popular diabetes and weight loss drugs today. Commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes or obesity, these medications work by slowing gastric emptying and enhancing insulin production.
Common GLP-1 Drugs:
- Ozempic (semaglutide) – Novo Nordisk
- Wegovy (semaglutide, higher dose for weight loss) – Novo Nordisk
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) – Novo Nordisk
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) – Eli Lilly
- Zepbound (tirzepatide for weight loss) – Eli Lilly
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) – Eli Lilly
- Victoza (liraglutide) – Novo Nordisk
- Saxenda (liraglutide, weight loss version) – Novo Nordisk
- Byetta and Bydureon (exenatide) – AstraZeneca
Alleged Injuries and Side Effects From Taking GLP-1 Drugs:
- Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Nausea, vomiting, and severe GI distress
- Kidney injury from dehydration
- Possible thyroid tumors (medullary thyroid carcinoma)
Lawsuits and Legal Actions:
As of 2024, hundreds of plaintiffs have filed lawsuits alleging that GLP-1 drugs caused gastroparesis and other disabling gastrointestinal conditions, with claims that manufacturers failed to warn users of these risks.
SGLT2 Inhibitors
Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors help lower blood sugar by forcing the kidneys to excrete more glucose through urine. While effective, this class of drugs has been tied to life-threatening infections and kidney injuries.
Common SGLT2 Drugs:
- Jardiance (empagliflozin) – Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli Lilly
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin) – AstraZeneca
- Invokana (canagliflozin) – Janssen
- Steglatro (ertugliflozin) – Merck/Pfizer
- Combination drugs: Synjardy, Xigduo, Invokamet, Qtern
Reported Injuries:
- Fournier’s gangrene (necrotizing genital infection)
- Ketoacidosis
- Kidney failure
- Urinary tract infections
- Bone fractures
- Amputations (notably with Invokana)
Lawsuit Overview:
Invokana faced thousands of lawsuits related to ketoacidosis and amputations, many of which have been resolved in confidential settlements. The FDA has issued several warnings about genital infections and acute kidney injury related to SGLT2 use.
DPP-4 Inhibitors
DPP-4 inhibitors increase insulin release by preventing the breakdown of incretin hormones. They are generally considered mild in side effect profile but have still been linked to certain pancreatic risks.
Common DPP-4 Drugs:
- Januvia (sitagliptin) – Merck
- Onglyza (saxagliptin) – AstraZeneca
- Tradjenta (linagliptin) – Boehringer Ingelheim
- Nesina (alogliptin) – Takeda
- Combination products: Janumet, Kombiglyze, Kazano
Alleged Risks:
- Heart failure (notably with Onglyza)
- Pancreatitis
- Joint pain
- Pancreatic cancer (controversial and still debated)
The FDA issued warnings about heart failure risks related to Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR based on cardiovascular outcome trials.
Other Weight Loss Drugs
Outside of diabetes treatments, several prescription medications are approved specifically for chronic weight management. Some of these drugs carry their own set of safety warnings and are increasingly being evaluated for long-term injury risks.
Popular Weight Loss Medications:
- Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) – Vivus
- Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone) – Currax Pharmaceuticals
- Saxenda (liraglutide) – Novo Nordisk
- Belviq (lorcaserin) – Eisai (withdrawn from market in 2020)
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) – Eli Lilly
Side Effects and Legal Issues:
- Belviq was withdrawn after cancer concerns surfaced.
- Qsymia carries risks of birth defects, suicidal thoughts, and cardiovascular events.
- Contrave includes a black box warning for suicidal behavior and neuropsychiatric events.
- Off-label use of diabetes drugs (like Ozempic) for cosmetic weight loss has prompted legal scrutiny.
Commonly Reported Injuries and Conditions from Taking Weight Loss Medication
Across these medications, several patterns of adverse events have emerged. Here’s a summary of the most common and serious complications patients and attorneys are alleging:
- Gastroparesis: A painful condition involving delayed stomach emptying, often linked to GLP-1 agonists.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, a known risk across several drug classes.
- Thyroid Cancer: Animal studies link GLP-1 drugs to medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- Kidney Damage: Especially with SGLT2 inhibitors, linked to dehydration and infections.
- Fournier’s Gangrene: A rare but fatal infection tied to SGLT2 use.
- Amputation: Reported primarily with Invokana.
- Heart Failure: Associated with Onglyza and some other DPP-4 inhibitors.
FDA Warnings and Ongoing Lawsuits
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple boxed warnings, label changes, and drug safety communications related to these medications. As scientific studies evolve, legal action continues to grow:
- GLP-1 drug lawsuits are expanding, particularly concerning Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, with allegations of gastroparesis and lack of adequate warning.
- Invokana lawsuits have largely settled, but the drug remains under scrutiny.
- Belviq users have pursued cancer-related claims following the drug’s withdrawal.
- SGLT2 inhibitors face continuing evaluation for renal and cardiovascular risks.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured
If you or a loved one suffered serious health complications after taking a diabetes or weight loss medication, you may have legal options. Many attorneys offer free consultations and are currently investigating claims related to:
- Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro
- Jardiance, Farxiga, Invokana
- Qsymia, Saxenda, Contrave
- Januvia, Onglyza, Tradjenta
Steps to Take:
- Seek Medical Advice: Ensure your health is stabilized and documented.
- Collect Records: Keep prescription labels, medical records, and pharmacy receipts.
- Report Side Effects: You can submit a report to the FDA MedWatch program.
Consult a Legal Professional: Consider speaking to an attorney with experience in pharmaceutical litigation.
The popularity of GLP-1 agonists and related weight loss and diabetes drugs has skyrocketed — but so have the reports of severe side effects. As lawsuits grow and FDA oversight continues, patients should stay informed about the risks associated with these powerful medications.
If you or a family member experienced injury from a drug like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Jardiance, Qsymia, or Belviq, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
