Weight loss is not just a cosmetic issue for many people. The same underlying conditions that can make Wegovy especially dangerous, may be why someone chooses to take Wegovy, in the first place. The decision to take a GLP-1 drug requires a careful medical risk/reward assessment, especially as Wegovy appears poised to become more easily available.
But the ability of doctors and patients to engage in this kind of evaluation depends on the full and complete disclosure of medical risks. The ongoing Ozempic and Wegovy lawsuits have focused on Novo Nordisk’s negligent (and perhaps profit-driven) failure to disclose these risks.
Acute kidney injury
Acute kidney injury happens when harmful levels of waste build up in the kidneys because the kidneys suddenly cannot filter them out of the bloodstream. This, in turn, may unbalance electrolytes, a key aspect of the blood’s chemical makeup.
Acute kidney injury ranges from mild to severe. If severe, ongoing and not treated, it may prove to be fatal. Symptoms include:
- reduced urine output;
- fatigue or weakness;
- confusion;
- nausea or loss of appetite;
- pain in the belly or side;
- irregular heartbeat; and
- seizures or coma in severe cases.
The injury is caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys, for which there are many causes, including medications and dehydration. Wegovy and Ozempic, work by slowing down gastric emptying and reducing appetite. This makes individuals feel fuller for longer, but it can also decrease thirst and a general desire for liquids. In addition, many people (nearly half, in one study) who take Wegovy experience nausea and vomiting, which can also produce dehydration.
Wider Wegovy availability
In 2023, WeightWatchers launched “WeightWatchers GLP-1,” a subscription program focused on the health and nutrition needs of patients using Ozempic and Wegovy. The drugs have exploded in popularity for their its effectiveness in helping people lose weight. The company has also announced its intention to offer Wegovy in pill form pending its approval in the U.S. in 2026. Starter doses of the weight-loss pills, if approved, will cost $149 a month for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees and for cash payers through the U.S. administration’s new TrumpRx site.
Costco offers members with a valid prescription a four-week supply of Wegovy injections for $499 out of pocket at its more than 600 U.S. Costco pharmacies. Executive members and Costco credit card holders may also earn cash back through the retailer’s pharmacy rewards program.
On one hand, wider availability and lower price for a drug that may contribute to the health and long life of people who suffer from diabetes or obesity seems like a good thing. On the other, Novo Nordisk’s aggressive marketing of a drug with serious side effects, hardly fosters the kind of caution on which patients must rely.
Other dangers
The dehydration produced by the vomiting and diarrhea associated with Ozempic and Wegovy can make other common side effects like headaches, fatigue, constipation and bowel issues more severe.
Both drugs have also been linked to other serious health risks, including:
- pancreatitis, and severe stomach pain;
- gallbladder problems, including gallbladder inflammation and gallstones;
- thyroid C-cell tumors – patients should be closely monitored for symptoms like a lump in the neck, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing;
- hypoglucemia (low blood sugar), especially when used with other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas; and
- allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
Wegovy and Ozempic lawsuits
READ MORE OZEMPIC AND MOUNJARO LEGAL NEWS
People who have been injured by Wegovy are among the participants in multidistrict litigation (MDL 3094) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The cases consolidated in In Re: Glucagon-Like Peptide-l (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists Products Liability Litigation focus on gastrointestinal injuries allegedly caused by Wegovy and Ozempic and the manufacturers’ failure to warn patients about the risk of injury. The lawsuits are ongoing, with bellwether trials likely to occur in 2026. After those trials occur, settlement negotiations will begin in earnest. As of October, 2,809 people have joined a federal group lawsuit for those injured by Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs. That number is expected to grow over the coming months.
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