Zepbound® Lawsuit

Zepbound is an injectable prescription medication made by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Its active ingredient is tirzepatide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound in 2023 to treat obesity in adults. Patients must also have at least one weight-related condition, which can include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

Zepbound is a dual receptor agonist drug. It mimics the body’s glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). It works by controlling insulin and blood sugar and slowing stomach emptying.

People filing Zepbound lawsuits claim that tirzepatide side effects caused them severe injuries. The lawsuits address Eli Lilly’s product liability, claiming that the company knew or should have known about medication dangers but failed to warn healthcare providers and consumers.

In addition to Zepbound, GLP-1 litigation includes Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro® (also made with tirzepatide) and Trulicity® (dulaglutide). Lawsuits also name Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus®, all made by Novo Nordisk with the active ingredient semaglutide. They also name Novo Nordisk’s Saxenda® and Victoza® (liraglutide).

The allegations in these lawsuits include the following:

• Breach of express and implied warranties claims: The drugs failed to perform safely as promised in product labeling and promotions.
• Failure to warn claims: If doctors had been given adequate warnings, they would not have prescribed the drugs or would have monitored patients differently.
• Negligent misrepresentation and fraud claims: Manufacturers intentionally downplayed severe drug side effects, claiming nausea and other symptoms as “minor” or “temporary” in marketing campaigns to drive profits.

Several severe Zepbound side effects and drug injuries have been tied to using the medication, calling Zepbound’s safety into question. Many of these side effects were not listed or were not adequately listed on GLP-1 drug warning labels. 
 

Lawsuits allege that Zepbound and similar medications have caused plaintiffs to experience several side effects.

Vision injuries

• Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
• Optic nerve damage
• Sudden or permanent vision loss

Read more: GLP-1 vision loss injuries and lawsuits ->

Gastrointestinal injuries

• Bloating
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis)
• Ileus, intestinal obstruction and bowel obstruction
• Pulmonary aspiration (choking on stomach contents)
• Severe acid reflux and esophageal injuries
• Severe vomiting

Other serious injuries and complications

• Acute kidney injury and kidney failure
• Biliary complications (problems or blockages in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts)
• Blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Cholecystitis (swelling and irritation of the gallbladder)
• Gallstones and increased gallbladder disease risk
• Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer
• Severe dehydration and malnutrition
• Thyroid C-cell tumors 

One of the most significant Zepbound lawsuit updates for 2026 is the division of claims into two MDLs. The first, formed in 2024, consolidates claims over gastrointestinal injuries. This MDL, In re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3094, had 3,928 pending actions as of August 2026.

The second, In re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation, MDL 3163, consolidates claims over NAION and vision loss. It was formed in December 2025 after the court divided these cases from the gastrointestinal injury and gastroparesis litigation. As of August 2026, it had 200 pending actions.

U.S. District Judge Karen S. Marston is presiding over both MDLs in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The litigations are still in the discovery, motion and trial-planning phases. Motley Rice GLP-1 attorneys have lead roles in both MDLs.

Is there a Zepbound class action lawsuit?

There’s no Zepbound class action lawsuit. Instead, several claims regarding the GLP-1 drug have been consolidated into MDLs. 

Class actions and MDLs are both types of mass-tort lawsuits. MDLs temporarily consolidate cases to determine pre-trial matters, but each case in the MDL remains separate and receives its own ruling. With a class action, cases are consolidated into a class, represented by one or more plaintiffs. The case ruling applies to all members of the class.

Have there been Zepbound lawsuit settlements?

There are currently no Zepbound lawsuit settlements. Any potential Zepbound lawsuit settlement amounts will depend on the specifics of each individual case. In general, compensation may include pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. 

Whether or not you qualify for a Zepbound lawsuit will depend on your use of the drug, type of injury and medical history. To determine your eligibility, a Motley Rice Zepbound lawyer may consider the following evidence for a GLP-1 lawsuit:

• Proof of Zepbound use: You’ll need evidence that your doctor prescribed Zepbound or another GLP-1 to you for an FDA-approved purpose. Typically, you’ll need to have taken the medication as directed for at least 30 days. 
• Proof of injury: You’ll need medical records and objective diagnostic testing (such as blood tests, MRIs or CT scans) showing you have a GLP-1-related condition, such as gastroparesis or NAION. You’ll also need medical records documenting your side effects and symptoms. They’ll need to show that your health problem began while taking or shortly after stopping Zepbound. 
• Proof of damages: You’ll need evidence that your drug injury resulted in surgery, hospitalization or other significant treatment, leading to pain and suffering, medical damages and lost wages from missed work. 

Having the above does not guarantee that you have a viable Zepbound claim. Lawsuit eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Motley Rice prescription drug and device attorneys have represented thousands of patients harmed by dangerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If you believe a diabetes or weight loss medication like Zepbound injured you or someone you love, our lawyers may be able to help.

Read more on our medical drug litigation experience

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. Zepbound, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Victoza and Saxenda remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.