Ozempic® and Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed or swollen. The pancreas gland makes enzymes that break down food and hormones that control blood sugar levels. 

Pancreatitis can resolve quickly when it is acute, or it can become a chronic issue. There are two main types of pancreatitis: acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. People with acute or chronic pancreatitis are at risk for developing a severe condition known as necrotizing pancreatitis.

Common pancreatitis symptoms

Symptoms of pancreatitis may vary, but common signs include:

• Fever
• Increased heart rate
• Jaundice
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe stomach pain extending to the back or chest that worsens after eating
• Swelling, soreness and fluid buildup in the upper abdomen

Some pancreatitis symptoms overlap with Ozempic side effects. These include severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting after eating. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis describes a sudden onset of pancreatitis. It typically lasts a relatively short time and doesn’t do long-term damage to the pancreas. However, this condition can develop into serious and potentially fatal complications.

Severe acute pancreatitis can result in necrotizing pancreatitis, which typically happens when pancreatitis goes untreated. 

Chronic pancreatitis

Repeat bouts of acute pancreatitis can lead to chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis lasts longer and may come and go. Chronic pancreatitis can cause permanent damage to the pancreas and prevent it from making enzymes and hormones. 

Some people with chronic pancreatitis experience complications, including:

• Chronic pain
• Diabetes mellitus
• Gallstones
• Hardening of pancreatic tissue
• Kidney failure
• Pancreatic cancer

In some cases, people with chronic pancreatitis develop necrotizing pancreatitis.

Necrotizing pancreatitis

Necrotizing pancreatitis occurs when pancreatitis-related inflammation or injury causes part of the pancreas to die. Pancreas tissue that has died can put a patient at risk for infection. 

The symptoms of necrotizing pancreatitis include:

• Dehydration
• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Slow or immediate severe stomach pain that may extend to the back and persist for days
• Swollen abdomen

Necrotizing pancreatitis may be an eligible condition for an Ozempic lawsuit.

Yes. Pancreatitis was reported as a serious side effect of Ozempic during clinical trials of the medication. In controlled trials, seven patients taking Ozempic developed acute pancreatitis and one was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. 

The Ozempic label advises patients showing signs of acute or chronic pancreatitis to stop taking the drug. Signs of pancreatitis include serious stomach pain, sometimes extending to the back, and vomiting. However, you should speak with your doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.

Ozempic prompts the pancreas to produce insulin. In technical terms, it is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). When used along with diet and exercise, Ozempic helps control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, if the pancreas is already irritated or swollen, increased amounts of insulin can lead to pancreatitis. 

Various studies have correlated GLP-1 RAs to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer:

• One analysis theorized the actual incidence of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Ozempic may be underreported. This may be because pancreatitis symptoms present atypically or are misattributed to the drug itself.
• One study advised doctors to watch for medication-related acute pancreatitis in patients who have recently started taking a semaglutide medication like Ozempic. The study advised caution when prescribing semaglutide to diabetic patients who have an elevated risk for acute pancreatitis.
• Another study concluded that patients with obesity and a history of type 2 diabetes may have an increased risk for acute pancreatitis if they take a GLP-1 RA for weight loss.

Our medical attorneys have represented thousands of patients severely injured by dangerous prescription drugs like Ozempic. If you believe the use of a diabetes drug like Ozempic, Wegovy® or Rybelsus® made you sick or led you to develop necrotizing pancreatitis, our attorneys have the resources needed to thoroughly investigate and:

• Review whether Ozempic harmed you
• Review the manufacturer’s compliance with FDA regulations
• Examine the sufficiency of the manufacturer's warning about potential side effects of Ozempic
• Recognize other issues that might impact your potential claim

Learn more about our law firm’s diabetic 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 and Rybelsus remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.