Active case
Mounjaro Lawsuit
Connect with an attorneyMounjaro™ is a Type 2 diabetes drug created by Eli Lilly and is often used as a weight-loss aide. Mounjaro lawsuits have been filed by people across the country who allege serious health issues like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). People harmed by Mounjaro may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
05/16/2024
Mounjaro lawsuit update
In February 2024, Mounjaro lawsuit cases were consolidated with cases against other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This consolidation is known as multidistrict litigation (MDL). The MDL may impact how individual claims are handled but should not impact eligibility for filing a lawsuit.
By October 2024, there were 1,090 pending actions in the MDL against GLP-1 drug manufacturers.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a Type 2 diabetes drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company. The drug is taken once weekly through an injection. Patients start with a relatively low dosage of 2.5 mg and increase at regular intervals under the supervision of their doctor. Mounjaro received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022.
The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. It functions by simulating two separate types of hormones. This makes the drug both:
- A glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor
- A glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
These two hormones play a role in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. They help the brain understand when to increase or decrease insulin production.
Mounjaro can make people feel full and decrease appetite, which sometimes results in weight loss. In this way, Mounjaro’s active ingredient, tirzepatide, is similar to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic®, Wegovy® and Rybelsus®. Doctors and researchers are still somewhat unsure why semaglutide and tirzepatide are such effective weight loss drugs, so research is ongoing.
Mounjaro, like Ozempic, is not approved by the FDA for weight loss. Using Mounjaro for weight loss is an off-label use and may come with safety risks.
Health concerns over Mounjaro
While all medicines come with warnings about potential side effects, many people are concerned about health issues that aren’t on Mounjaro’s warning label. Many of these side effects are gastrointestinal problems.
Some of the Mounjaro health concerns are about:
- Gastroparesis: This condition is sometimes referred to as “paralyzed stomach,” “stomach paralysis,” or “delayed gastric emptying.” It may cause a person’s stomach to slow or stop moving food through the rest of the digestive system. The delayed gastric emptying keeps food in the stomach, leading to a wide range of potential complications. These complications include abdominal pain, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting and more. It may result in weight loss, malnutrition and severe dehydration.
- Gastroenteritis: This condition is an inflammation of both the stomach and intestines. It may lead to diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, gastroenteritis can leave a person severely dehydrated, which could come with additional complications.
Mounjaro’s label does not warn users that they may experience gastroparesis. These gastrointestinal conditions, which can severely impact a person’s life, are the basis of some personal injury lawsuits.
Other gastrointestinal issues have also been linked to GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro. Chronic cyclical vomiting, intestinal obstructions and other gastrointestinal events are other serious Mounjaro side effects.
Lawsuit against Mounjaro
People are filing Mounjaro lawsuits against Eli Lilly. These lawsuits allege serious harm from using the Type 2 diabetes drug. The plaintiffs say that they’ve suffered conditions such as gastroparesis and that Eli Lilly failed to warn users about these serious risks.
Mounjaro lawsuits may claim:
- Failure to warn consumers: Plaintiffs may allege that Eli Lilly was required to disclose all of the potential harms of the drug to patients. They allege that Mounjaro either knew or should have known they could be injured by using the drug. A failure to warn lawsuit can help push for proper labeling on drugs, which helps future patients understand all associated risks.
- Breach of express warranty: Plaintiffs also allege Eli Lilly portrayed Mounjaro on its label and through advertisements as safe and that it would not cause conditions such as gastroparesis. If this express warranty had not been present, plaintiffs may not have used Mounjaro and experienced health complications.
Plaintiffs in a Mounjaro lawsuit may seek damages for:
- Health care costs from the treatment of Mounjaro complications
- Pain and suffering experienced as a result of health issues from Mounjaro
- Attorney’s fees for the costs of pursuing justice against Eli Lilly
- Punitive damages to punish Eli Lilly for its alleged disregard for public safety
The specific actions and damages of any Mounjaro lawsuit will depend on the facts of the case. Speaking with a Mounjaro lawyer can help you understand if you’re eligible to file a lawsuit against Eli Lilly.
Contact a Mounjaro lawyer today
If you or a loved one experienced an adverse side effect after taking Mounjaro, you may be eligible to sue Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro.
Call 1.800.768.4026 to contact attorneys Sara Couch and Jonathan Orent for more information or to discuss a potential Mounjaro claim.
Connect with a Mounjaro attorney today.
Who can file a Mounjaro lawsuit?
People who have taken Mounjaro as directed by a doctor and experienced one or more of the undisclosed health issues may be eligible to file a Mounjaro lawsuit. Individuals who developed gastroparesis while using Mounjaro should consider speaking with an attorney to explore possible legal action against Eli Lilly.
People who may be eligible for a case include those who:
- Had a prescription for Mounjaro
- Followed the instructions as directed
- Developed a non-listed side effect condition such as gastroparesis
Determining eligibility for a Mounjaro lawsuit may be complicated. Speaking with an attorney who has experience handling medical drug claims can help you understand if you have a valid claim and what steps you need to take to file a Mounjaro suit.
How do I join a Mounjaro lawsuit?
Lawsuits against Eli Lilly for Mounjaro are currently being litigated in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as part of a larger multidistrict litigation (In Re: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3094). If you would like to file a Mounjaro lawsuit, it may be filed in the MDL. A Mounjaro lawyer can help you join the Mounjaro MDL if you are eligible.
A Mounjaro lawyer can help you by:
- Gathering evidence: A lawyer may be able to help you understand what documentation is needed for your claim. Depending on the circumstances, they may be able to request documents from medical providers for you.
- Investigating your harm: It may be difficult to fully assess what you’ve suffered. A lawyer can help you investigate medical costs, lost wages and other damages you may be eligible to recover.
- Building your case: Filing a Mounjaro lawsuit is complex. A Mounjaro lawyer can help you by identifying what is necessary to build a claim.
- Litigating your claim: A Mounjaro lawyer can litigate the claim on your behalf in court.
The medical drug lawyers at Motley Rice have experience helping people navigate lawsuits for diabetes medications. Consider reaching out for a free consultation today.
Frequently asked questions about Mounjaro lawsuits
Is there a Mounjaro class action lawsuit?
No, a Mounjaro class action lawsuit has not yet been filed as of May 2024, but a Mounjaro GLP-1 MDL has been created.
MDLs are similar to class action lawsuits in that multiple plaintiffs’ claims against specific defendants are consolidated before one court. However, unlike class actions, each plaintiff’s case in an MDL remains individually active. MDL cases can go to trial and any verdicts or settlement can be specific to the harm that each plaintiff has suffered. Class action awards are split between all plaintiffs.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
The difference between Ozempic and Mounjaro is their active ingredient. Ozempic is a formulation of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and is FDA-approved to reduce cardiovascular risks. Mounjaro is a formulation of tirzepatide, a GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist. They are both approved to help people with Type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic and Mounjaro are both the subjects of ongoing litigation for injuries.
Read more about the risks of Ozempic.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro?
The difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro is in their active ingredients. Wegovy, like Ozempic, uses the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide. Mounjaro uses tirzepatide, which is both a GLP-1 receptor agonist and GIP receptor. Wegovy, unlike Mounjaro and Ozempic, has been approved for weight loss by the FDA.
Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of Wegovy and Ozempic, and Eli Lilly, manufacturer of Mounjaro, are defendants in personal injury lawsuits.
Read more about the risks of Wegovy.
Our medical drug litigation experience
Our medical attorneys have represented thousands of patients seriously hurt by dangerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs. We understand that as a patient or family member, what you know about your or a loved one’s medications may be limited.
If you believe a medicine made you sick or hurt you, our attorneys have the resources needed to thoroughly investigate and:
- Identify potentially harmful medicines
- Review if the medicine hurt you
- Review the medicine manufacturer’s compliance with FDA regulations
- Examine the adequacy of the manufacturer's warning about potential side effects
- Recognize other issues that could affect your potential claim
Learn more about our law firm’s medical drug lawsuit experience here.
Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death. Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Rybelsus remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Sources
- Mayo Clinic. Gastroparesis.
- MedlinePlus. Intestinal obstruction and Ileus.
- Merck Manual. Drug-Related Gastroenteritis and Chemical-Related Gastroenteritis.
- United States Food and Drug Administration. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Injection, for subcutaneous use.
- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In Re: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAS) Products Liability Litigation. Transfer Order.
- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. MDL Statistics Report - Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by Actions Pending.