Ozempic, produced by Novo Nordisk and known as semaglutide, is a weekly injectable medication utilized to regulate blood sugar levels in adults with type-2 diabetes and reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke for diabetic individuals. It falls under the category of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and works by assisting the pancreas in generating more insulin to lower blood sugar levels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sanctioned Ozempic for use in adults with type-2 diabetes in 2017. While Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, weight loss is a common side effect due to its ability to slow down digestion and imitate a hormone that signals fullness to the brain. Consequently, Ozempic gained popularity as an off-label weight loss medication, leading to an increase in users without diabetes. The drug's endorsement by celebrities further boosted its widespread recognition, resulting in a shortage for diabetic patients who depend on it for managing their condition.
Wegovy, a new drug released in 2021, contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but is specifically indicated for weight loss management. Just like Ozempic, Wegovy experienced a surge in demand, leading to shortages. Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide and manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co., is another GLP-1 drug similar to Ozempic but incorporates the hormone GIP for increased efficacy. While Mounjaro can result in significant weight loss, it is not currently approved for that purpose. The prescription weight loss drug market exceeded its projected growth by 72% in 2022, reaching an estimated $1.9 billion this year due to the rising popularity of these medications. Ozempic currently dominates over 40% of the GLP-1 agonist market share in the United States, holding the largest portion of the market for this drug class.
If you or a family member have used Ozempic or a comparable medication and have suffered from gastrointestinal injuries, you might qualify to submit a claim.
A mass tort is a category of legal action where a large number of plaintiffs file claims against a single defendant or a small number of connected defendants. A mass tort can be brought from a defective product, contaminated food, medicine lacking appropriate label warnings, exposure to chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs or occupational hazards.
Simple put, tort law strives to put the victim in the situation they were in before the tort. Compensation for injuiries include reviewing of past and future economic losses as well as financial satisfaction for a variety of nonfinancial items of damage, such as pain and suffering or loss of amenities.
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