Zepbound Stomach Paralysis

Doctors prescribe Zepbound to help people with chronic weight issues. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound injections for adults who are:

• Obese, defined on the Zepbound label as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater
• Overweight, defined on the Zepbound label as having a BMI of 27, and at least one potentially weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol 

Patients are typically prescribed Zepbound in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound is the brand name for tirzepatide, a dual agonist drug that works to control blood sugar and hunger by interacting with hormone pathways in the body. A dual agonist simultaneously activates two types of receptors or pathways in the body. This can offer a more comprehensive therapeutic effect than targeting just one type of receptor.

Tirzepatide targets and activates receptors for both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). This helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Additionally, it stimulates hormone receptors in the intestines, reducing appetite by creating a feeling of fullness.

Tirzepatide is also FDA-approved under the name Mounjaro®. However, Mounjaro is prescribed to help improve the blood sugar (glucose) levels of patients with type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly manufactures both Zepbound and Mounjaro.

Taking Zepbound may bring about certain side effects, including some serious conditions.

Potential major side effects of Zepbound usage include:

• Changes in vision
• Depression or thoughts of suicide
• Gallbladder problems
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Intestinal blockages
• Kidney problems called by dehydration
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if patients take medications that cause low blood sugar
• Serious allergic reactions, including breathing problems or swallowing issues
• Severe stomach problems 

Severe stomach problems reported by patients taking Zepbound include gastroparesis, otherwise known as stomach paralysis.

Stomach paralysis is a disorder that affects a person’s stomach nerves and muscles. This serious medical condition weakens the stomach’s muscle contractions and slows the digestion process.

When a person eats, muscle activity moves food through the stomach and into the small intestine. When muscles and nerves can’t operate properly, the stomach can’t process the food inside and empty itself. Food then sits too long in the stomach. This can lead to stomach cramps and pain, bloating, flatulence and even blockages. Gastroparesis can also cause the formation of a hard mass called a bezoar that may require surgery to remove.

People with stomach paralysis may experience:

• Acid reflux and heartburn
• Bloated stomach
• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Constipation
• Feeling full quickly or for a long time
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach pain
• Regurgitating whole pieces of food
• Upper abdominal pain

Gastroparesis may also slow down one’s entire digestive process. If you or a loved one experience any of the above side effects while taking Zepbound, discuss with your doctor immediately.

How is gastroparesis treated?

Some patients may be able to manage their gastroparesis with dietary changes, supplements and smaller meals. Others may have to rely on more extreme solutions, such as:

• Feeding tube: Those who can’t eat enough to maintain adequate nutrition may temporarily require a feeding tube. Some patients may also require IV fluids to treat an electrolyte imbalance.
• Medications: Several medications may be prescribed to treat symptoms of gastroparesis or stimulate the intestinal muscles to help food move forward in the digestive tract.
• Surgery: Several types of surgeries may be used to treat stomach paralysis. These surgeries aim to improve stomach emptying and digestion.

The various treatments for gastroparesis can severely impact one’s quality of life and incur large medical bills.

Gastroparesis can be a serious condition, and it may impact a person’s long-term health. Common complications of gastroparesis include:

• Hypoglycemia: Diabetic patients with gastroparesis may have more difficulty controlling their blood sugar level, which can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This happens when food sits in the stomach for too long. When food finally does release, it can create a dangerous spike in blood sugar.
• Nutritional issues: Chronic nausea and vomiting, as well as loss of appetite, can cause nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition. The latter occurs due to an imbalance between the nutrients a body needs to function and the nutrients it receives.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Vomiting is a symptom of gastroparesis and may cause dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes help the body regulate chemical reactions. When electrolytes are imbalanced, symptoms and complications can vary. In the most severe cases, this imbalance can result in coma, seizures and sudden cardiac death.
• Severe dehydration: Stomach paralysis can lead to severe dehydration in patients experiencing ongoing vomiting. Severe dehydration can cause several complications, including urinary and kidney problems.
• Surgery to solve stomach paralysis: Some patients may need a surgery, or multiple surgeries, to manage their gastroparesis. Surgery may help improve stomach emptying, but it won’t cure gastroparesis.

Because stomach paralysis can be a very serious condition, be sure to inform your doctor if you’re experiencing any Zepbound stomach cramps or other warning signs.

Is stomach paralysis on the Zepbound warning label?

No, stomach paralysis isn’t listed on the Zepbound warning label. 

The current Zepbound warning label states that severe stomach problems are a possible serious side effect of taking the medication. It recommends that patients with existing gastroparesis not begin taking the drug. However, the Zepbound label does not list new stomach paralysis or gastroparesis as potential risks. 

Tirzepatide was initially FDA-approved in May 2022. In the press release about the approval, Eli Lilly disclosed a safety summary and provided a link to the medication guide and prescribing information. However, the manufacturer didn’t identify severe gastrointestinal events like gastroparesis as a risk.

How long does stomach paralysis last?

Stomach paralysis has no cure. Once it has developed, it is a long-term condition that requires consistent management. Some people may have more severe cases than others. With adequate management, some stomach paralysis patients can live a healthy and normal life. Other patients may require feeding tubes and severe dietary changes.

Zepbound is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). As a GLP-1 agonist, Zepbound works to curb hunger by slowing food movement through the stomach while sending signals to the brain to reduce cravings. This delayed gastric emptying can cause food to remain in the stomach for longer than usual. 

In a 2023 study, researchers at The University of British Columbia analyzed health insurance claim records for 16 million U.S. patients. They looked for people who had been prescribed a semaglutide or a liraglutide — both GLP-1 agonists — between 2006 and 2020. Researchers included patients with a recent medical history of obesity, but the researchers excluded those who had been diagnosed with diabetes or prescribed another antidiabetic drug.

The researchers then combed the records to see how many people had developed gastrointestinal conditions, including gastroparesis. They found that GLP-1 agonists were associated with a 3.67 times higher risk of developing gastroparesis.

A GLP-1 multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established in February 2024 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. District Court. The cases in the MDL also include other drugs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus®, Mounjaro and Trulicity®. These drugs are in the same class as Zepbound. As of March 2025, over 1,500 actions were pending in the MDL.

The MDL currently contains lawsuits against drug manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zepbound. 

A Zepbound attorney can review your experience with the drug to determine if you may be in a good position to file a lawsuit. If you decide to go forward with a suit, your attorney can help you gather any paperwork or evidence that’s relevant to your case. Such information may include medical records, prescription details, proof of purchase, documentation of side effects and any correspondence with healthcare providers or the manufacturer.

Our medical attorneys at Motley Rice have represented thousands of patients harmed by dangerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If you believe you’ve been hurt or that someone you love has been hurt by a medication used for treating diabetes or assisting with weight management, our attorneys may be able to help. Our attorneys can:

• Investigate whether Zepbound or another weight-loss medication may be the reason for your medical issues
• Review whether the manufacturer neglected to warn you about dangerous side effects
• Identify other issues that could impact your claim

Our Zepbound attorneys are committed to helping those harmed seek justice.

Learn more about our medical drug experience here.

Don’t stop taking prescribed medication without first consulting your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s consent can result in injury or death. Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, Trulicity and Rybelsus remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.