Novo Nordisk's blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic is facing one of the largest pharmaceutical legal battles in recent years, with over 1,800 lawsuits consolidated in US federal courts and potential damages estimated to exceed $2 billion. The litigation represents a growing challenge for the Danish pharmaceutical giant as patients report severe, life-altering side effects they claim were inadequately disclosed.
Scale of Legal Challenge
The lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3094) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under Judge Karen Spencer Marston. This consolidation streamlines pretrial proceedings for cases involving similar injuries and scientific questions, making it easier to coordinate evidence, expert testimony, and potential settlement negotiations.
Legal analysts project the total liability could cross $2 billion, potentially making this one of the costliest drug safety disputes in pharmaceutical history. The figure continues to grow as hundreds of additional cases are expected to be filed in the coming months.
Reported Complications
Court filings detail a range of serious health problems allegedly linked to Ozempic and related GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro. The most commonly reported complications include:
- Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) - a condition where the stomach cannot properly empty its contents
- Intestinal blockages and persistent vomiting
- Gallbladder complications including inflammation and gallstones
- Sudden vision loss linked to NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy)
- Pancreatitis and kidney damage
Supporting Medical Evidence
Recent research studies are being used as evidence in the litigation. A 2023 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people using GLP-1 drugs had a higher risk of developing gastroparesis compared with non-users. Eye specialists have reported a rise in cases of sudden, unexplained vision loss in patients who had recently taken Ozempic.
The FDA's adverse events database has logged thousands of complaints about gastrointestinal and vision problems tied to the drug, strengthening the plaintiffs' case that these complications are more widespread than initially disclosed.
Legal Timeline and Developments
The legal battle began in August 2023 when Jaclyn Bjorklund filed the first lawsuit, alleging she developed stomach paralysis and vision loss after using Ozempic. By February 2024, the volume of similar cases prompted US courts to consolidate them into the current MDL.
As of August 2025, the litigation remains in the discovery phase, with both sides gathering documents, reviewing scientific data, and preparing expert witnesses. Key upcoming developments include:
- Bellwether trials expected to begin in early 2026, serving as test cases for how juries respond to the evidence
- Expert testimony from doctors and researchers presenting studies linking Ozempic to reported side effects
- Settlement negotiations that may accelerate if early trials favor plaintiffs
- Expansion of claims to potentially include new side effects such as kidney injury, hair loss, and emotional distress
Eligibility and Legal Process
According to lawyers handling the cases, patients may be eligible to join the lawsuits if they took Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or Mounjaro and subsequently developed serious health complications. Eligibility requirements include having medical records to confirm diagnosis and filing within the legal deadline, which typically ranges from one to three years depending on the state.
Even patients whose symptoms eventually improved may still have viable claims, as lawsuits often cover medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Company Response
Novo Nordisk strongly denies the claims, maintaining that Ozempic is safe when used as prescribed and that all medications carry some risk. However, plaintiffs argue that the full scope of potential harm was not adequately communicated, particularly when the drug began being widely prescribed off-label for weight loss - a purpose for which it was not originally approved.
Broader Implications
The Ozempic litigation highlights the challenges that arise when medications designed for one condition become widely used for another purpose. The drug was originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes but gained popularity for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects.
This legal battle could potentially influence how drug companies communicate risks, how regulators handle off-label use, and the extent of manufacturer responsibility when medicines are used beyond their original approved indications. The outcomes of the bellwether trials in 2026 will likely set the tone for thousands of future claims and could reshape pharmaceutical liability standards.
