Saxenda Lawsuit

Saxenda (liraglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication developed by Novo Nordisk in 2014. It is FDA approved for weight loss and is a GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. 

Liraglutide mimics a type of hormone that lowers blood sugar. Novo Nordisk researchers discovered liraglutide’s weight loss affects almost by accident when they noticed that rats injected with this chemical literally stopped eating. Liraglutide was initially approved for diabetes control in 2010 as Victoza.

The company continued work on an injectable form of liraglutide for weight loss until Saxenda’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Saxenda, which typically results in only modest weight loss (about 5% of body weight), requires daily injections. 

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda slows the exit of food from the stomach (“gastric emptying”) and increases insulin levels in the blood. Delayed gastric emptying can lead to serious conditions, such as: 

• Chronic gastroenteritis
• Gallbladder disease
• Gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach)
• Ileus (blockage of the intestine)
• Necrotizing pancreatitis

Some of these medical conditions were not listed on the original prescribing label for Saxenda.

Patients suffering from any of these ailments should speak with their doctor to determine next steps. Doctors can help patients access treatment for their side effects.

After that, patients may wish to consider a Saxenda lawsuit. Lawsuits can help injured people obtain compensation for the pain they’ve suffered because of the manufacturer’s negligence. 

The lawsuits may also result in more accurate labeling for the drugs, which can help prevent future harms for other people. 

People have been filing Saxenda lawsuits after experiencing serious adverse effects in connection with the drug. The lawsuits allege that Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Saxenda and similar drugs, failed to warn of the potential for stomach paralysis and other conditions resulting from Saxenda use.

The prescribing label did disclose the potential for certain serious side effects — like pancreatitis, hypoglycemia and gallbladder disease. But, the prescribing information didn’t include the potential for other serious side effects, such as deep vein thrombosis, gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) or ileus.

Because of this failure to warn about all of the potential side effects, including some of a serious nature, it’s been alleged that doctors and users couldn’t make informed decisions about the risks and benefits of using Saxenda. As a result, many people say they’ve suffered serious harm from using the drug.

Saxenda users began filing lawsuits against Novo Nordisk, the drug’s maker and marketer, for failure to warn of the possible dangers. As of February 2024, the Saxenda lawsuits were included in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against other GLP-1 drugs.

The prescribing information for Saxenda lists several adverse effects (serious health impacts) and common side effects. Anyone experiencing the following should report them to their healthcare professional:

• Acute pancreatitis: The pancreas secretes enzymes that help digest food. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas secretes too much of these enzymes, causing it and other organs to become inflamed. Pancreatitis is characterized by severe abdominal pain radiating to a person’s back. It can become chronic or fatal if not treated.
• Gallbladder disease: Rapid weight loss can lead to gallbladder disease or gallstones. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea.
• Hypoglycemia: Also called low blood sugar, this can happen when Saxenda increases the amount of insulin in the bloodstream. If the user hasn’t eaten enough, their blood sugar level could drop after taking Saxenda. Hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, diabetic coma and even death. The prescribing label only warns of hypoglycemia when Saxenda is used in conjunction with insulin secretagogue or insulin.
• Tumors and cancer: Saxenda and other GLP-1 agonist drugs come with a “black box” warning about thyroid T-cell tumors and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, type 2 (MEN 2). Patients with a history of cancer or MEN 2 shouldn’t use Saxenda.

Common side effects include:

• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Tiredness
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

The common side effects should subside after the patient’s body adjusts to the medication. Typically, this happens within a few days or weeks. However, the symptoms may return when doses are changed. 

Common side effects shouldn’t be disregarded. In some cases, they may become very severe or be indicators of a more serious condition. For example, GLP-1 patients have required hospitalization for severe vomiting, so be sure to let your doctor know of any side effects you experience.  

The manufacturers of Saxenda didn’t include all of the serious potential side effects. Not everyone will develop these conditions, but people who do may experience life-threatening adverse reactions.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A “thrombus” is a medical term for a blood clot that travels through the veins. DVT occurs when blood clots form in the veins of the lower legs and travel through the body until they reach the heart and lungs. If the clot lodges in the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism — a condition that is life-threatening if not treated immediately.
• Gastroparesis: Also known as stomach paralysis, this condition affects the muscles that move food out of the stomach and upper intestines. Gastroparesis causes food to sit too long in the stomach, leading to constipation, vomiting, hypoglycemia and bowel obstruction. In the most serious cases, gastroparesis may require surgery to repair.
• Ileus: Ileus is a condition similar to gastroparesis that occurs lower in the intestines. Ileus takes place in the colon, when the muscles no longer move stools out of the body. It can lead to infection of the intestine, perforation of the intestinal wall, and peritonitis. Like gastroparesis, ileus may require surgery.
• Vision changes/blindness: A recent study has linked use of semaglutide drugs with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This disorder is the second most common form of blindness due to optic nerve damage. This study is the first of its kind, but more research currently underway may show an association between this condition and other GLP-1 RAs like liraglutide.

If you’ve taken Saxenda or liraglutide and been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you should contact an attorney right away.

You may be eligible to file a Saxenda lawsuit if you use the drug as prescribed and develop an adverse condition. Not all conditions qualify for legal action.

To be eligible to file a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk:

• You must have used or currently be using Saxenda for weight-loss purposes.
• You must be able to show you developed a serious adverse reaction requiring medical treatment.
• Your healthcare professional or treating physician must provide evidence linking your condition to Saxenda.

If you believe your condition may qualify, consult a Saxenda attorney at once. Only an attorney can tell you if you’re eligible to join existing legal action against the manufacturers of Saxenda.

Motley Rice is taking clients in the MDL against Novo Nordisk, which is the manufacturer of Saxenda, Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza and Rybelsus. 

What should I do if I’ve experienced a major adverse event from taking Saxenda?

If you’ve experienced any major medical event and believe it to be a result of taking Saxenda, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately. If you experience allergic reactions or abdominal pain radiating to your back, call 911 or seek emergency medical treatment.

Most major adverse effects described above develop over time. You should report all side effects to your healthcare provider right away, though, because they could be signs of a more serious problem. For instance, signs of ileus include:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Saxenda has side effects that are common with various medical conditions. Letting your doctor know of anything you’re experiencing will allow them to monitor you for conditions that may or may not be Saxenda-related.

Never stop taking any prescription medication unless your doctor instructs you to stop. Stopping medication prematurely could result in a more serious condition or death.

What should I do if I suffered harm from using Saxenda in the past?

If you’ve suffered an adverse effect from using Saxenda and no longer use Saxenda at your doctor’s recommendation, you should still contact an attorney. If the drug harmed you in any way, you may still be within your state’s statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit. 

Your next steps might include:

• Talking with an attorney: A Saxenda attorney will review your case and see if you meet the eligibility requirements to file a lawsuit.
• Gathering evidence for your case: You’ll need medical records, statements from your doctors, and proof of expenses. A lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence.
• Filing your lawsuit: Your Saxenda lawyer may take the lead on this part. Certain deadlines must be met, and certain forms and formats must be used.
• The court process: This takes time. Your attorney will exchange information with the other side and litigate your case at trial.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about lawsuits against Saxenda. 

Is there a Saxenda recall? 

No Saxenda recall has happened yet. However, shortages of related drugs have occurred due to the sheer popularity of GLP-1s as weight-loss drugs. Saxenda and other weight-loss drugs have also been the subject of FDA warnings about the possible dangers of compounded drugs. Users of compounded weight loss drugs are not eligible for personal injury lawsuits against the manufacturers.

Is there a Saxenda class-action lawsuit?

No, there isn’t a Saxenda class-action lawsuit. In February 2024, many of the existing GLP-1 lawsuits were consolidated into the multidistrict litigation (MDL) in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. More than 1,300 cases are currently pending in the MDL.

Is Saxenda being discontinued? 

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Saxenda, has not announced any plans to stop making the product.

The attorneys at Motley Rice have represented thousands of patients seriously hurt by dangerous prescription and non-prescription medications, along with medical devices. We are currently representing clients in the MDL against the manufacturers of other weight-loss drugs. We know that as a patient or family member of someone harmed by a diabetes or weight-loss medication, your knowledge may be limited.

Our attorneys have the resources to investigate and:

• Identify potentially harmful medicines and devices
• Review whether the medicine or device is linked to your injury
• Review the 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 medical drug litigation experience.