Novo Nordisk Faces Over $2 Billion in Lawsuits as Ozempic Users Report Vision Loss and Gastroparesis

Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant behind the popular diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic, is currently facing a consolidated legal challenge exceeding $2 billion in potential liabilities. Over 1,800 lawsuits have been filed against the company in the United States, alleging that the medication has caused severe and life-altering side effects, including significant vision loss and gastroparesis. These cases are part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits claim a range of serious health complications. Among the most prominent allegations is non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition leading to vision loss. As stated in a recent social media post by "Simmo", > "Ozempic’s creator, Novo Nordisk, just got slammed with a $2,000,000,000 lawsuit. Why? Over 1,800 people have been left permanently blind." Beyond vision issues, patients also report severe gastrointestinal problems such as gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, persistent vomiting, gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis, and kidney damage.

Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was initially approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, its significant weight-loss benefits led to widespread off-label prescriptions. Novo Nordisk maintains that Ozempic is safe when used as prescribed and that its product labels include warnings about gastrointestinal side effects. Conversely, plaintiffs argue that the company failed to adequately disclose the full scope of risks, particularly given the drug's extensive use for weight management.

The legal proceedings are currently in the discovery phase, with bellwether trials anticipated to begin in early 2026. Legal analysts suggest that the total liability could surpass the initial $2 billion estimate as more patients come forward. The outcome of this litigation could significantly influence how pharmaceutical companies communicate drug risks, especially for medications widely used beyond their original approved indications.