Ozempic (semaglutide) has become one of the most talked-about drugs in medicine. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating type 2 diabetes, it’s now widely used off-label for weight loss. Ozempic is a weight loss drug that is prescribed for both diabetes and weight loss, making it popular for patients seeking to manage both conditions. And with this rise in popularity, this new trend has created a surge in legal risks.
In fact, doctors are now seeing more scrutiny from patients, law firms, and regulators. Medical malpractice claims related to Ozempic cases are rising. Some involve off-label use without informed consent. Others involve unrecognized side effects of Ozempic or lack of follow-up.
It’s not surprising that the drug has escalated in the public eye so quickly. On telehealth platforms, companies like Hims & Hers have met the demand for weight-loss solutions by offering compounded versions of semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic, especially during times of national shortage. Their marketing strategies include large advertisements, which have made the drug more visible. As a result, it is easier for people to find when searching for weight-loss medication. This trend extends to drugs like Ozempic, which are under increasing legal scrutiny due to their widespread use for weight management.
Additionally, it is well-documented that social media platforms like TikTok have many accounts promoting Ozempic for weight loss. A study analyzing TikTok videos under the hashtag #Ozempic highlighted the drug’s popularity and the significant public interest in its off-label use for cosmetic weight loss. The use of Ozempic for off-label purposes has raised concerns about potential health risks and legal consequences.
Now, as Ozempic lawsuits mount, physicians must stay vigilant. Every prescription of Ozempic should come with a risk assessment — not just clinical, but legal. Understanding the evolving landscape is no longer optional. It’s a matter of protecting patients and protecting your practice. This blog will help to explain the risks and how to prevent them.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that mimics the GLP-1 hormone. Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are all part of the same drug class and are involved in ongoing litigation regarding their potential side effects. In clinical trials, it was found to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes by stimulating insulin, reducing glucagon, and slowing digestion. The FDA approved it in 2017 for diabetes — but not for weight loss. In January 2025, the FDA also approved Ozempic for use in reducing some of the risks connected with chronic kidney disease.
Wegovy, a higher-dose version of semaglutide, received FDA approval in 2021 for weight management in obese or overweight adults with certain medical conditions. These drugs are used to treat diabetes and are classified as GLP-1 RAs (receptor agonists), also known as agonists GLP-1 RAS or peptide 1 receptor agonists. Their mechanism of action involves acting as like peptide 1 receptor and receptor agonists GLP 1, which help regulate blood sugar and appetite. But Wegovy has limited availability, and many patients — and even some prescribers — turn to Ozempic instead. The popularity of these 1 receptor agonists GLP is due to their dual benefit for both diabetes management and weight loss.
Ozempic is a member of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class of medications. Designed to treat type 2 diabetes, Ozempic works by mimicking the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, which is released in the gut after eating. This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and appetite.
When you take Ozempic, it activates GLP-1 receptors throughout the body. This activation slows down the emptying of the stomach, which helps reduce spikes in blood sugar after meals. It also stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar levels are high, while simultaneously decreasing the amount of glucagon—a hormone that raises blood sugar—produced by the liver. The combined effect is better glycemic control for people with type 2 diabetes.
In addition to its impact on blood sugar, Ozempic’s action on GLP-1 receptors in the brain helps suppress appetite, making it easier for patients to lose weight. This dual benefit—improving blood sugar and supporting weight loss—has made Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increasingly popular for both diabetes management and off-label weight loss. The medication is administered as a once-weekly injection, offering convenience for long-term use.
Clinical studies have shown that Ozempic not only helps control blood glucose but also reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. As a result, it has become a cornerstone in the treatment of diabetes and is now at the center of the conversation about weight loss drugs and their potential risks.
Legally, doctors can prescribe a drug off-label, but they must provide clinical reasons and clear documentation. Reviewing warning labels and documenting any adverse event is essential, as a lack of informed consent or failure to warn patients of side effects can lead to lawsuits, including potential Ozempic class-action lawsuits.
The standard of care includes explaining that Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss. With the rise in several lawsuits, thorough medical records have become increasingly important in establishing liability. If a patient suffers complications and the healthcare professional did not inform them, the healthcare professional may be liable. These details will be crucial in any future Ozempic lawsuit settlement amounts or malpractice claims.
The most frequently reported side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal in nature. Patients often experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, especially when first starting the medication or increasing the dose. Injection site reactions, such as redness or swelling, can also occur.
However, Ozempic is also associated with more serious health risks. Cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), thyroid cancer, and diabetic retinopathy have been reported. Of particular concern are gastrointestinal complications like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), which can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and difficulty digesting food. Some patients have developed intestinal obstruction or bowel blockage, requiring emergency medical attention.
Another rare but significant side effect is vision loss due to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), sometimes referred to as an “eye stroke.” This condition can lead to sudden, irreversible blindness.
Because of these risks, it’s essential for patients to review the warning label and discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider before starting Ozempic. Promptly reporting any new or worsening symptoms can help prevent serious complications.
The growing list of side effects linked to Ozempic has become a central issue in the wave of lawsuits against Novo Nordisk. Many plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the risk of severe gastrointestinal side effects, such as gastroparesis and stomach paralysis, as well as vision loss and other complications.
These claims are now being coordinated in the Ozempic multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The multidistrict litigation process allows federal courts to handle similar cases together, streamlining the legal process for thousands of patients who have experienced adverse events. The core of these lawsuits is the argument that Novo Nordisk did not provide sufficient warning about the potential for severe gastrointestinal side effects and other health risks.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications after taking Ozempic, you may be eligible to file an Ozempic lawsuit. Consulting with a law firm experienced in products liability litigation can help you understand your rights and the steps needed to pursue compensation. As the Ozempic multidistrict litigation continues to unfold, the outcomes of these cases may set important precedents for future claims involving GLP-1 receptor agonists and other weight loss drugs.
People can lose weight on Ozempic, but safety remains a concern — especially when used off-label. Health issues can arise, and potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. But more serious risks have emerged:
According to a 2025 CDC study, visits to the emergency room for semaglutide use increased significantly. Most of these visits were for stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, highlighting the impact of Ozempic on the digestive system, including potential disruptions such as gastroparesis. The study urged patients who are thinking of taking a semaglutide to first review all other medications they are currently taking.
As a doctor prescribing Ozempic for weight loss, you should document your reasoning, review alternatives, and obtain thorough informed consent. Make sure your patients understand the risks to help avoid any chance of medication malpractice. That documentation could be your best defense if a lawsuit arises. In legal cases, consulting medical experts to evaluate and diagnose any complications related to Ozempic use can further strengthen your defense.
The answers may determine whether you face liability — or avoid it. The estimate of Ozempic lawsuit payouts, ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 per case, shows how high the stakes can get.
Ozempic’s popularity exploded thanks to celebrity endorsements and viral posts claiming dramatic weight loss. Telehealth companies and online pharmacies made it easy for patients to get prescriptions without seeing their regular doctor.
That shift led to more patients using Ozempic off-label for weight loss — often without full understanding of the risks. Many individuals who took Ozempic have reported severe complications, including gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal issues, which have become central to ongoing litigation. As side effects mounted, so did lawsuits. Many of these legal actions now assert that doctors didn’t adequately warn patients. Others argue that the doctors prescribed the drug without proper evaluation.
As of early 2025, the core legal issues fueling Ozempic and Wegovy lawsuits wave include:
This is no longer a fringe concern. A centralized class-action lawsuit against Ozempic is now underway, with Novo Nordisk's marketing practices and knowledge of severe side effects facing increased scrutiny in the litigation. Physicians must recognize the implications of this legal trend and act accordingly.
As the popularity of Ozempic grows — especially for off-label weight loss — so do the legal concerns surrounding how it’s being prescribed and monitored. Many recent lawsuits highlight troubling misuse patterns that put patients at risk.
Here are some of the most common issues being cited in court filings and investigative reports:
These patterns put physicians at risk — not just from regulatory boards, but also in civil court. When a lawsuit against Ozempic also names a provider, documentation often becomes the key line of defense.
Informed consent isn’t just a formality. When prescribing Ozempic, especially off-label, it’s a frontline defense against medical malpractice claims.
Several Ozempic lawsuits argue that providers didn’t disclose the drug’s most serious risks — like gastroparesis or pancreatitis. Others claim that patients never knew doctors used the drug off-label for weight loss, which can alter the legal context dramatically.
Physicians who skip or rush this process may face liability. In a lawsuit, the lack of documented consent is often treated as negligence.
Here’s what physicians should include in a consent discussion to reduce legal exposure:
Without this level of transparency, providers risk being named in a lawsuit against Ozempic for lack of informed consent — an increasingly common legal argument in these cases.
As of May 2025, over 1,800 Ozempic lawsuits have been filed. These include both individual injury claims and mass tort cases. The volume of litigation has led the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to centralize federal claims into one venue: the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, creating the Ozempic MDL overseen by a federal judge. There are tens of thousands of potential lawsuits related to Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs, highlighting the significant scale of this litigation.
District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter, often referred to as Judge Gene or Judge Pratter, initially managed the Ozempic MDL and played a crucial role in consolidating and organizing the proceedings. Following Judge Pratter's passing, Judge Karen Spencer Marston, also known as Judge Marston, was appointed to oversee the litigation. Judge Marston has since issued case management orders and scheduled key hearings, continuing the work of her predecessor in managing the complex multidistrict litigation process.
This is not just legal housekeeping — it’s a signal that the courts recognize a shared set of allegations about this drug’s safety and labeling.
The trend of Ozempic lawsuits is growing. Now, some prescribers and telehealth platforms are being named. They are accused of negligence in prescribing and monitoring use. The growing interest in Ozempic lawsuits means there is a chance that high price tag settlements, or medical malpractice nuclear verdicts, could result.
From court filings and firm announcements, these are the most common Ozempic claims:
These claims are now being coordinated in what may become a full Ozempic class-action lawsuit or a mass tort settlement process.
As Ozempic lawsuits consolidate under federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), physicians should prepare for several possible legal outcomes. If the MDL moves toward global settlement talks, like in other big drug cases, doctors should prepare for these scenarios:
To understand the legal threat, clinicians should study the lawsuits now shaping public opinion and court strategy. Here are three cases, with individuals filing an Ozempic lawsuit, that are fueling the surge in litigation:
Bjorklund said she had serious stomach problems. This happened after using Ozempic for over a year. She then switched to Mounjaro. These included constant vomiting, stomach pain, and a burning feeling in her gut. She claimed that the excessive vomiting led to tooth loss and required multiple hospitalizations.
The lawsuit asserted that the companies failed to adequately warn about the risk of severe gastrointestinal events, such as gastroparesis and gastroenteritis. As of May 2025, the case remains pending, with no final judgment or settlement reported.
He contends that neither Novo Nordisk nor his healthcare provider adequately warned him about the risk of such severe ocular side effects. As of May 2025, the case remains pending in New Jersey state court.
According to the lawsuit, the companies failed to adequately warn healthcare providers and patients about the potential risks associated with these drugs, despite evidence and reports of gastrointestinal issues dating back to 2010. Kindrew argues that the manufacturers' failure to disclose these risks contributed to her medical condition and suffering.
Each of these lawsuits against Ozempic shows how fast legal exposure can escalate — especially when medical oversight or documentation is weak.
Prescribers don’t need to fear Ozempic — but they do need to respect it. That means thinking about legal risk and following rigorous standards.
Proactive steps today can mean the difference between being a witness or a defendant tomorrow.
Ozempic is changing how patients and providers think about weight loss, but it’s also changing the legal landscape. As off-label use becomes more common, doctors must adapt — not just clinically, but legally.
Ethical prescribing isn’t just good medicine — it’s risk management against medication errors. With Ozempic under legal fire, every prescription comes under scrutiny. You must document your rationale, communicate risks clearly, and obtain consent in writing. When regulators or attorneys review your records, that paperwork can be your strongest shield.
Patients may want Ozempic. They may have seen it on TikTok or heard about it from a friend. But your role isn’t to say yes to every request — it’s to guide decisions with medical judgment. Balancing autonomy with responsibility means:
Lawsuits are rising, but panic isn’t the answer — preparedness is. You can prescribe Ozempic safely and confidently with the right safeguards in place.
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