What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Medications?
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) medications – principally semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy by Novo Nordisk) and tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound by Eli Lilly) – are a class of prescription medications originally developed to manage blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. They work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone produced in the small intestine, which:
- Stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, lowering blood sugar
- Blocks glucagon secretion, preventing blood sugar spikes
- Slows gastric emptying, creating a prolonged feeling of fullness
- Reduces appetite, supporting weight loss
Risk Vs. Reward
Although only Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved specifically for weight management, many of these drugs have been widely prescribed off-label for weight loss. By 2024, an estimated one-third of Ozempic users had no history of Type 2 diabetes. The following GLP-1 medications are currently at the center of the litigation:
Semaglutide (injectable) from Novo Nordisk FDA approved for Type-2 diabete
Semaglutide (injectable) from Novo Nordisk FDA approved for weight management
Semaglutide (oral) from Novo Nordisk FDA approved for Type-2 diabetes
Liraglutide (injectable) from Novo Nordisk FDA approved for weight management
Liraglutide (injectable) from Novo Nordisk FDA approved for Type-2 diabetes
Tirzepatide (injectable) from Eli Lilly FDA approved for Type-2 diabetes
Tirzepatide (injectable) from Eli Lilly FDA approved for weight management
Dulaglutide (injectable) from Eli Lilly FDA approved for Type-2 diabetes
These medications have generated enormous commercial success for their manufacturers, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. However, growing evidence now reveals that these drugs carry serious, inadequately disclosed risks to the gastrointestinal system and the eyes.
What Are the Signature Injuries?
GLP-1 drugs have been linked to two major categories of severe injuries: gastrointestinal damage and vision loss. These are the signature injuries at the heart of the current litigation.
Gastrointestinal Injuries
The FDA has received over 8,500 reports of gastrointestinal disorders associated with semaglutide alone, including 33 reports of ileus and 2 deaths. The most serious gastrointestinal injuries include:
A condition in which the stomach muscles stop functioning properly, severely slowing or halting the movement of food through the digestive system. Symptoms include chronic nausea, debilitating vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, and malnutrition. Many patients require emergency hospitalization and ongoing medical care.
A partial or complete blockage of the intestines that prevents the normal passage of food, fluids, and gas. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that may require emergency surgery. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and distension.
A condition in which the intestines lose their ability to contract normally, causing a functional blockage. Without treatment, ileus can lead to tissue death and severe infection.
A severe, potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas in which tissue begins to die, often requiring intensive care and surgical intervention.
GLP-1 drugs may alter bile composition, contributing to gallstone formation and gallbladder inflammation that can lead to gallbladder removal surgery.
Recurring episodes of severe, uncontrollable vomiting lasting hours to days, requiring repeated hospitalizations.
Chronic digestive dysfunction caused by GLP-1 drugs can prevent the body from absorbing essential nutrients, leading to dangerous vitamin deficiencies and weight loss beyond therapeutic intent.
Vision Loss Injuries (NAION)
Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) is a rare but devastating eye condition. NAION is a stroke-like event in the optic nerve, cutting off blood supply to the anterior portion and causing sudden, painless vision loss — typically affecting one eye, sometimes both. There is no effective treatment, and vision loss is usually permanent.
NAION symptoms include:
- Sudden vision loss in one eye, often noticed upon waking
- A dark shadow or area in the upper or lower visual field
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Loss of color vision or contrast sensitivity
- Light sensitivity and eye pain
Individuals experiencing vision loss after taking a GLP-1 drug such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus have become so numerous that a separate federal litigation has been established specifically for NAION claims.
How Are GLP-1 Drugs Linked to These Injuries?
A growing body of scientific research and clinical evidence connects GLP-1 medications to both gastrointestinal and vision injuries.
The Gastrointestinal Connection
GLP-1 medications work in part by slowing gastric emptying and altering gut motility. While this mechanism contributes to weight loss by prolonging feelings of fullness, it can also cause the stomach and intestines to lose their ability to move food through the digestive tract normally. Research findings include:
- A 2023 study published in JAMA found that GLP-1 receptor agonists prescribed for weight loss were associated with significantly increased risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis.
- Clinical research showed that semaglutide increased gastric retention by up to 30% at the 4-hour mark compared to placebo, with the half-empty time of the stomach increasing from 118 minutes to 171 minutes.
- A 2023 study of patients undergoing gastroscopy found that patients on GLP-1 drugs had retained food (bezoars) in their stomachs while none of the patients not on GLP-1 RAs did.
- Researchers found that 70% to 90% of patients on semaglutide had solid food remaining in their stomachs after an 8-hour fast, compared to only 10% to 20% of control subjects.
The Vision Loss Connection
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have now established a link between GLP-1 drug use and NAION:
- A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that the risk of NAION was approximately 6.7% in patients who took semaglutide, compared to just 0.89% in patients on other antidiabetic medications — a risk as much as 7 times higher.
- A large Danish registry study of over 424,000 Type 2 diabetes patients found that semaglutide use more than doubled the risk of NAION (hazard ratio of 2.19).
- A 2025 cohort study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that among U.S. veterans with Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide users had a 2-fold higher risk of NAION compared to patients on other diabetes medications.
- A 2025 study found that patients who used semaglutide for 2 or more years were at significantly elevated risk, with hazard ratios of 2.39 at 2 years and 2.44 at 3 years.
- In June 2025, the European Medicines Agency concluded that semaglutide medications may cause NAION and required that the risk be added to product information as a “very rare” side effect.
- A July 2025 JAMA Ophthalmology study found that any GLP-1 RA use was associated with a 19% higher risk of NAION in the first year of use, with liraglutide doubling the risk in non-diabetic, non-obese patients.
Despite this mounting evidence, drug manufacturers have been slow to update their warning labels and inform prescribing physicians and patients of these risks.
GLP-1 Drug Litigation
Thousands of individuals who suffered serious injuries after taking GLP-1 drugs have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers, primarily Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. As of March 2026, there are over 3,363 lawsuits pending in the federal multidistrict litigation, with an additional 54 lawsuits in a separate vision loss MDL, and the numbers continue to grow rapidly.
Plaintiffs allege that the drug manufacturers did not adequately inform patients and healthcare providers about this potential risk of developing serious medical conditions such as Gastroparesis and NAION, citing multiple studies indicating an elevated incidence of these conditions among users. The GLP-1 drug lawsuits are based primarily in failure-to-warn claims, along with negligence and related product liability theories.
The Core Legal Claims
The lawsuits allege that the GLP-1 drug manufacturers:
- Failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about the serious risks of gastroparesis, bowel obstruction, ileus, and NAION vision loss
- Concealed and downplayed evidence of severe side effects despite knowledge from clinical research, adverse event reports, and patient complaints
- Aggressively marketed these drugs for weight loss — including off-label promotion — while misrepresenting their safety profiles
- Reaped massive profits at the expense of patient safety by prioritizing commercial success over transparent risk communication
- Failed to conduct adequate studies and clinical trials to identify and quantify the risks before bringing these products to market
The Federal Litigation
The cases are consolidated in two federal multidistrict litigations (MDLs) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, overseen by U.S. District Judge Karen S. Marston:
- MDL No. 3094: In Re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation — covering gastrointestinal injury claims (3,363 pending cases as of March 2026).
- MDL No. 3163: In Re: GLP-1 RAs Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Products Liability Litigation — covering NAION vision loss claims (54 pending cases, established December 2025).
In August 2025, Judge Marston largely denied the drug manufacturers’ motion to dismiss, allowing key claims to proceed. The litigation is currently in the pretrial discovery and case management phase.
Do You Qualify for a GLP-1 Drug Lawsuit?
Patients and families may qualify to file a GLP-1 drug lawsuit if they meet certain criteria. To pursue a GLP-1 drug injury claim, potential claimants generally must meet the following criteria based on the type of injury they suffered:
Gastrointestinal Injury Claims
- You took a brand-name GLP-1 medication (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, Saxenda, or Victoza)
- You were diagnosed with gastroparesis, bowel obstruction, ileus, necrotizing pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or cyclic vomiting syndrome while taking the drug or within 30 days of stopping
- Your condition required emergency room treatment, hospitalization, or surgical intervention
- Your diagnosis of gastroparesis was confirmed by a gastric emptying study (scintigraphy, breath testing, or wireless motility capsule)
Vision Loss (NAION) Claims
- You took a brand-name GLP-1 medication (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, Zepbound, or Trulicity)
- You experienced sudden vision loss or were diagnosed with NAION while taking the medication or within 12 months of last dose
- You experienced some degree of permanent vision impairment or loss
Timing matters. Filing deadlines also vary by state and acting promptly helps preserve your legal rights and ensure that critical medical records and evidence are available. It’s important to contact a lawyer experienced in injuries related to prescription medications as soon as possible to evaluate your legal options.
GLP-1 Drug Lawsuit FAQs
Compensation may include coverage for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. Wrongful death damages for surviving family members of deceased patients may be available.
The deadline to file, known as the statute of limitations (SOL), varies by state. Many states allow two to three years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of harm. Be sure to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to avoid issues.
The current U.S. FDA drug labels for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound do NOT specifically warn about NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy). However, some drug labels do warn about vision-related risks, primarily diabetic retinopathy or changes in vision. In 2024, European regulators concluded NAION may be linked to GLP-1 drug use and ordered updated labels for semaglutide to include a NAION/vision loss warning.
As of March 2026, the current U.S. labels for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound all contain gastroparesis-specific language, but they do not specifically say that the drug causes or increases the risk of developing new-onset gastroparesis.
If you experience a serious gastrointestinal condition or experience sudden vision loss while taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or another GLP-1 drug, seek immediate medical care. Then, contact a lawyer with experience in pharmaceutical litigation to explore whether you qualify for a GLP-1 drug lawsuit.
Contact Us Today
At LexLegal, we are committed to holding drug manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by inadequately disclosed drug risks. We represent individuals and families who have suffered serious injuries from GLP-1 medications, and we are actively accepting new cases in both the gastrointestinal and vision loss litigation tracks.
If you or a loved one suffered serious gastrointestinal injuries or sudden vision loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, or another GLP-1 medication, contact us today. We are passionate advocates for people who were harmed by drugs that were supposed to help them. We stand ready to assist you in pursuing fair compensation for your injuries to the fullest extent allowed under the law.
LexLegal offers free, confidential case evaluations to determine whether you qualify for a GLP-1 drug lawsuit. Complete our instant case evaluation form and we will review your information and promptly respond about your legal options. Our firm is experienced in handling defective drug cases, and we welcome any questions you may have.
