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Semaglutide

Semaglutide lawsuit

Semaglutide lawsuits are being filed by patients who are experiencing serious health effects that weren’t listed on the warning labels of Ozempic®, Wegovy® or Rybelsus®.

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Written by: Sara Couch
Last Updated: July 23, 2026

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Case Overview

Patients using semaglutide-based medications to lose weight or treat diabetes have allegedly experienced serious unadvertised and unlisted side effects. These medications are sold under brand names including Ozempic®, Rybelsus® and Wegovy®. More than 2,900 people have filed lawsuits against Novo Nordisk, the company that manufactures semaglutide.

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Important semaglutide lawsuit updates

  • November 2025: There were 2,947 semaglutide plaintiffs in the federal mass tort In re: Glucagon like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAS) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3094.
  • August 2025: Judge Karen Spencer Marston, who oversees the MDL, denied defendants’ attempt to dismiss most of the claims. The judge dismissed only a few dozen of the plaintiffs’ claims, leaving nearly 3,000 still in the MDL.
  • April 2025: Research found that semaglutide users had a slightly higher risk of developing a serious eye issue compared to people taking other GLP-1 RA drugs. The study calls for further investigation of the causes.

Key takeaways about semaglutide lawsuits

  • Semaglutide is mainly a type 2 diabetes medication. Two of its branded versions are meant to manage diabetes and only one is meant for obesity management. However, all versions of the drug have become popular for weight loss.
  • Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA).
  • Patients using branded semaglutide have experienced serious health issues not disclosed on warning labels. As a result, semaglutide lawsuits are being filed in state and federal courts by people harmed by the medication manufactured by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

Current semaglutide lawsuits

If you or a loved one have experienced side effects that you believe are related to semaglutide, you may be able to seek justice through a semaglutide lawsuit against Novo Nordisk. The following semaglutide lawsuits are currently pending:

Semaglutide lawsuits in federal courts

People are suing Novo Nordisk for side effects they allegedly experienced after taking its semaglutide products, Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy. These side effects may include those not included on either drug’s warning label.

Many of the lawsuits are part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving other similar medications called GLP-1 RAs. Defendants in the MDL include:

  • Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy
  • Eli Lilly, which makes Trulicity®, Zepbound® and Mounjaro®

All MDL cases involve patients who took one or more GLP-1 RA medications. These people experienced severe unlisted gastrointestinal side effects.

Clients represented by Motley Rice in the semaglutide MDL

Our law firm represents several clients in the semaglutide MDL, including a Pennsylvania woman who was hospitalized for gastroparesis after taking Wegovy. Learn more about her case.

If you or a family member have experienced a similar reaction after taking a semaglutide product, reach out to one of our semaglutide attorneys to learn about your legal options.

Vision loss lawsuits

A Maryland man represented by Motley Rice is among 21 people alleging that taking Ozempic caused him to develop nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This serious eye condition can restrict blood flow to the optic nerve and cause blindness.

The 21 NAION plaintiffs have asked a New Jersey state court to consolidate their cases into a multicounty litigation (MCL) docket.

Semaglutide class action lawsuit

As of December 2025, there is no semaglutide class action lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, the sole manufacturer of semaglutide in the U.S.

Instead, people who believe they’ve been harmed by unlisted side effects of semaglutide may consider filing an individual lawsuit against Novo Nordisk. The drug manufacturer faces multidistrict litigation (MDL) filed in federal district court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. These lawsuits allege Novo Nordisk failed to warn patients about the risks of taking Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs.

However, there’s at least one Novo Nordisk class action lawsuit unrelated to personal injuries allegedly caused by GLP-1 RA drugs. Investors who believe Novo Nordisk deliberately underestimated the impact of competition from drug compounders have filed a class action lawsuit against the company. Motley Rice is not involved in this litigation.

Connect with a semaglutide lawyer

If you or a family member have experienced serious side effects from semaglutide, you might be eligible to seek compensation.

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You can also reach our team by calling 1.800.768.4026.

Who can file a semaglutide lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed and you believe it’s related to taking semaglutide, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. An attorney with experience litigating weight loss and diabetes drug cases can evaluate your case. Documentation, such as medical records and receipts for the medication, can provide crucial details related to your situation.

If you’ve developed a serious condition that you believe is related to taking semaglutide-based medication, consult an attorney as soon as you’re medically able. Many lawsuits have a statute of limitations (SOL), which is a rule that determines how long you have to file a lawsuit after being harmed. A semaglutide attorney can determine the applicable statute of limitations for your case.

Who can file a GLP-1 RA lawsuit? Individuals, or their loved ones, who suffered serious medical conditions after taking a branded GLP-1 RA drug prescribed by a doctor may be eligible to file a lawsuit. The condition must not have been on the drug’s warning label at the time of prescription.

Conditions that may be grounds for a lawsuit include:

  • Vision loss or changes
  • Ileus and intestinal blockages
  • Necrotizing pancreatitis
  • Pulmonary embolisms
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Gastric distress including severe or permanent stomach paralysis
  • Surgical complications

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a type of diabetes medicine that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for treating patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. As a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), semaglutide increases insulin production. This helps decrease the amount of sugar that enters the bloodstream.

The FDA currently has approved three forms of semaglutide:

  • Ozempic, for treating type 2 diabetes
  • Rybelsus, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
  • Wegovy, for chronic weight management

Novo Nordisk manufactures all three forms of the drug. Ozempic and Wegovy are injections that patients take once a week. Rybelsus is a tablet that patients take daily. Doctors prescribe dosages and timeframes based on each patient’s condition and tolerance for the medication.

Semaglutide in weight loss medications

Semaglutide has become a popular weight loss medication. Wegovy is FDA-approved to help people struggling with weight-related conditions. Doctors may also prescribe Ozempic and Rybelsus for off-label use to help people lose weight.

The FDA recommends that patients supplement all semaglutide medications with exercise and diet changes to achieve the best results.

Potential dangers of semaglutide

All medicines may cause side effects. But semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may carry additional risks beyond those listed on the drugs’ warning labels. Some reports allege people have experienced the following health problems after taking semaglutide:

  • Vision changes or loss related to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) (not on the warning label)
  • Necrotizing pancreatitis (not on the warning label)
  • Ileus (added to the warning label in September 2023)
  • Intestinal obstructions (not on the warning label)
  • Gastroenteritis (not on the warning label)
  • Gastroparesis, also called stomach paralysis (not on the warning label)
  • Gallbladder disease (added to the warning label in March 2022)
  • Intraoperative pulmonary aspiration (not on the warning label)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (not on the warning label)

People who experienced these side effects are filing semaglutide lawsuits. Lawsuits against drug manufacturers can help people receive money to pay for medical expenses, increase labeling requirements and even prevent other people from experiencing similar harms.

Semaglutide news and recent updates

11.03.25

Court updates the number of MDL cases

As of November 3, 2025, there were 2,947plaintiffs in the MDL involving semaglutide lawsuits.

08.18.25

Judge rules that semaglutide makers will have to face most MDL claims

U.S. District Court Judge Karen Spencer Marston denied a request from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to dismiss personal injury lawsuits related to their diabetes and weight loss drugs. The judge dismissed only “a few dozen” of the cases. As of November 13, 2025, there are still nearly 3,000 lawsuits in the MDL.

08.15.25

FDA approved gastrointestinal warning to Wegovy update

The FDA approved an update to Wegovy’s label to warn of potential gastrointestinal risks when people take GLP-1 RA medications. Under Section 6.2, the new label warns of “intestinal obstruction, severe constipation including fecal impaction.”

06.17.25

Group of plaintiffs alleges eye problems are related to semaglutide

A group of 21 semaglutide users has filed lawsuits alleging the drug caused them to develop NAION. They’ve asked a New Jersey state court to consolidate their cases.

04.25.25

Semaglutide user developed NAION, filed lawsuit

A man who used semaglutide to manage diabetes alleges that he developed NAION four months after he began taking the drug. He has since lost vision in both eyes and has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk.

04.07.25

Researchers link semaglutide to vision problems

BMC Medicine published a study that examined possible links between GLP-1 RA medications and vision issues. Researchers found that, in comparison, semaglutide users had elevated risks of vision problems.

03.03.25

MDL pending actions grew

The number of pending cases in the MDL continued to grow. There are now 1,521 plaintiffs in the semaglutide lawsuits.

02.21.25

Semaglutide removed from FDA drug shortage list

Semaglutide injections were removed from the FDA Drug Shortages List. The drug was on the list starting in 2022.

The end of the drug shortage may impact compounding pharmacies. Now that semaglutide is no longer in a shortage, the compounding authorization is essentially revoked. People receiving compounded semaglutide drugs may have to find a different route to get their medication.

02.20.25

New analysis of NAION in diabetic patients

An analysis of 37.1 million adults with type 2 diabetes across 14 databases found “further evidence of an association between semaglutide and NAION.”

01.30.25

Study found three eye diseases among semaglutide patients

A small study focused on nine participants taking semaglutide and tirzepatide, a similar drug. 

•Seven developed NAION
•One developed a stroke in the retina (paracentral acute middle maculopathy)
•One developed swelling in both optic nerves (bilateral papillitis)

12.01.24

DVT, blood clot cases excluded from GLP-1 MDL

Deep vein thrombosis and blood clot cases will be excluded injuries in the GLP-1 RA MDL. However, people who suffered these injuries can still pursue these cases as separate lawsuits. For more information, contact Motley Rice attorneys Sara Couch or Jonathan Orent.

11.01.24

Master complaint filed in Ozempic MDL

Patients who took Ozempic filed a master complaint in the growing multidistrict litigation centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. They allege Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly & Co. failed to warn them about the risks associated with Ozempic and other comparable GLP-1 drugs.

11.01.24

FDA added pulmonary aspiration to Ozempic label

The FDA included an additional warning on the Ozempic label regarding an increased risk of pulmonary aspiration. The warning indicates some Ozempic users may experience the issue during general anesthesia or deep sedation, even after following preoperative fasting directives.

10.02.24

Semaglutide remained in short supply

Semaglutide drugs remained on the FDA Drug Shortage Database, although drugmakers were increasing production to meet the demand. The shortage made it difficult for patients using semaglutide drugs for diabetes to obtain their medications. As of October 2, 2024, tirzepatide drugs were removed from the FDA Drug Shortage Database.

09.05.24

U.S. Senate questioned Novo Nordisk CEO about Ozempic and Wegovy pricing

The CEO of Novo Nordisk appeared before a U.S. Senate committee to address Senate concerns regarding overly high pricing for Ozempic and Wegovy. According to Senator Bernie Sanders, the manufacturer charged Americans higher prices than customers in other countries.

09.04.24

Plaintiff sued Novo Nordisk over life-threatening issues with Wegovy and Ozempic

A new plaintiff, Juanita Gantt*, joined the GLP-1 RA medications MDL, alleging life-threatening health issues related to Wegovy and Ozempic.

While taking the GLP-1RA medications, Gantt was hospitalized and required emergency surgery to remove part of her large intestine. She suffered cardiac arrest while recovering from surgery and required an ileostomy bag to collect waste from her body.

She Gantt’s lawsuit claimed Novo Nordisk failed to warn patients about the risk of major gastrointestinal side effects connected to the use of GLP-1RA drugs.

*Motley Rice does not represent Ms. Gantt.

08.01.24

Case management order issued in MDL

Judge Karen Spencer Marston issued Case Management Order No. 17 to establish guidelines regarding how plaintiffs will share expenses incurred by their attorneys while performing MDL-related duties.

07.01.24

Study linked Ozempic to vision loss and blindness

A new study linked semaglutide drugs like Ozempic to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a side effect that causes permanent vision loss and blindness. NAION involves blood loss to the optic nerve that can lead to visual impairments and blindness. The researchers’ findings suggested an association between semaglutide and NAION.

06.01.24

Judge Karen Marston to head GLP-1 RA MDL

Judge Karen Marston was appointed to head the MDL following Judge Pratter’s death in May. Facing a complex litigation with competing interests from all sides, one of Judge Marston’s first acts was to request a status conference with leadership members.

06.01.24

Science Day set for September 2024

Science Day, set for September 4, 2024, helps establish facts and relationships between the drugs, current research and the plaintiff’s claims.

05.01.24

Judge overseeing GLP-1 RA MDL passed away

Judge Gene E.K. Pratter, who oversaw the GLP-1 RA litigation, passed away at 78. The Philadelphia Inquirer remembered Judge Pratter as a “longtime lawyer, professor, mentor and volunteer.” The Judicial Panel on multidistrict Litigation (JPML) will appoint another judge to take Judge Pratter’s place in the GLP-1RA MDL.

05.01.24

Motley Rice attorneys appointed to leadership positions on Ozempic MDL

Motley Rice attorney Jonathan Orent was appointed Co-Lead Counsel and Motley Rice attorney Sara Couch was appointed Chair of Marketing Discovery for the Ozempic multidistrict litigation’s Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee.

04.01.24

Attorneys appointed to lead Ozempic MDL

Judge Pratter appointed a Motley Rice lawyer and attorneys from other firms to a “plaintiffs’ committee” to guide and lead the Ozempic MDL.

03.01.24

MDL status conference held

The first status conference in the GLP-1 RA MDL was held on March 14 to handle procedural details, leadership structure and the establishment of facts for the litigation.

02.01.24

GLP-1 RA MDL formed in Eastern District of PA

A GLP-1 RA MDL was established in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. U.S. District. Judge Gene E.K. Pratter was named the presiding judge. Louisiana lawsuits were transferred to the Pennsylvania MDL.

01.01.24

FDA investigating harms related to GLP-1 RA drugs

The FDA announced it was investigating claims of suicidal thoughts, hair loss and intraoperative pulmonary aspiration linked to the use of GLP-1 RAs.

12.31.23

Nearly 6,500 adverse events connected to GLP-1 medications reported in 2023

6,487 total cases, including 89 deaths.

12.01.23

GLP-1 lawsuits consolidated into Louisiana MDL

Plaintiff lawyers petitioned the court to consolidate nine GLP-1 lawsuits into multidistrict litigation in Louisiana.

12.01.23

Novo Nordisk’s motion to dismiss lawsuit denied

Judge James Cain, Jr. denied Novo Nordisk’s motion to dismiss, granted the dismissal of express warranty claims and denied the failure to warn claims.

11.01.23

Novo Nordisk files motion to dismiss

Novo Nordisk filed a motion to dismiss the Bjorklund lawsuit.

09.01.23

Ozempic label updated to include additional warnings

Ozempic’s label was updated to include a warning for ileus in the postmarketing experiences section.

08.01.23

Summons issued in Bjorklund case

Summons were issued to Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the Bjorklund case.

08.01.23

Jaclyn Bjorklund filed Ozempic lawsuit against Novo Nordisk

Forty-four-year-old Jaclyn Bjorklund filed one of the first Ozempic lawsuits against Novo Nordisk et al. The suit alleged that the drugmaker’s medications Ozempic and Mounjaro caused her to develop gastroparesis.

View Full Timeline

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about semaglutide lawsuits

What’s the controversy with semaglutide?

While drugs that use semaglutide as an active ingredient have become popular for diabetes and weight loss, there are reports of users developing serious vision and gastrointestinal disorders. These have led to numerous personal injury lawsuits, with more than 2,900 consolidated in a federal court as of December 2, 2025. The combined cases are designated In re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3094.

Dozens more – all related to vision problems – may be consolidated in a New Jersey state court. Federal cases about vision loss have been consolidated into MDL No. 3163 for coordinated proceedings.

Other lawsuits for serious conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, have been filed in courts as well.

Are there any long-term effects of semaglutide?

Yes, there may be long-term effects related to taking semaglutide-based drugs. Plaintiffs allege they have suffered serious side effects, including a range of gastrointestinal problems and vision issues. Research has also linked semaglutide to these health concerns.

Have any semaglutide lawsuits settled yet?

No, there have been no settlements in the semaglutide personal injury cases. The federal mass tort and potential New Jersey state mass tort are still in the early stages of litigation.

How long do I have to file a semaglutide lawsuit?

A legal rule called a statute of limitations (SOL) sets a time limit for filing a lawsuit after you’ve been harmed. SOL laws vary by state. If you’ve been harmed by taking a semaglutide medication, consult an attorney immediately to learn about the statute of limitations for semaglutide lawsuits.

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 to you about potential side effects
  • Recognize other issues that could affect your potential claim

Learn more about our medical drug litigation 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, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Zepbound and Mounjaro drugs remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Current semaglutide lawsuits

Who can file a semaglutide lawsuit?

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide news and recent updates

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about semaglutide lawsuits

Our medical drug litigation experience

About the Authors

Sara O. Couch | Motley Rice Attorney

Sara O. Couch

Member

Sara Couch is a trial lawyer who contributes to litigation across several of the firm’s practice areas, including defective medical devices, harmful drugs, toxic exposure, consumer protection, and technology & privacy actions.

Jonathan D. Orent

Jonathan D. Orent

Member

Jonathan Orent is a seasoned trial lawyer who advocates for people hurt by medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs, social media addiction and other consumer products.

Sources
  1. BioSpace. Novo Makes Case to FDA That Semaglutide Is Too Complex for Compounders to Produce.
  2. Cai CX, Hribar M, Baxter S, Goetz K, Swaminathan SS, Flowers A, et al. Semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. JAMA Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2025 Feb 20.
  3. Fierce Pharma. Novo Nordisk faces investor lawsuits over 'false and misleading' semaglutide sales projections.
  4. Katz BJ, Lee MS, Lincoff NS, Abel AS, Chowdhary S, Ellis BD, et al. Ophthalmic complications associated with the antidiabetic drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide. JAMA Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2025 Jan 30.
  5. Law360. Most Ozempic, Wegovy Claims Survive MDL Dismissal Bid.
  6. Law360. Ozempic, Wegovy Users Want NJ To Host Vision-Loss Suits.
  7. Medical News Today. Review links 3 potentially-blinding eye conditions to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic.
  8. NBC News. Lawsuit alleges Maryland man with diabetes became blind after taking Ozempic.
  9. Novo Nordisk. Updates About Wegovy®.
  10. United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Pending MDL Reports Archive.
  11. U.S. FDA. Supplemental Approval 24 8/15/2025.
  12. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC).
  13. U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Pending MDLs.
  14. Xie Y, Choi T, Al-Aly Z. Mapping the effectiveness and risks of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Nature Medicine (2025). 
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