Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Ozempic has been in the news lately. This injectable medication is used to manage type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. More recently, however, people without diabetes have been using Ozempic to lose weight, sometimes for short-term loss. This is because one of the possible side effects of Ozempic is weight loss.
With more people using Ozempic, there have been many reported side effects, including:
- Severe fatigue
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Severe headaches
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
Some patients have described these side effects as debilitating, leaving them unable to go to work. Most report that the symptoms go away when they stop using Ozempic.
Off-Label Use and Side Effects
Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss. Its main active ingredient, semaglutide, is. This means that most people taking Ozempic for weight loss alone are now taking it off-label, meaning they’re not taking the medication as manufacturers intended.
The problem with taking a drug off-label is that the manufacturers may not have tested the drug for every use. Ozempic is intended for long-term therapy, but some people are reporting using it to lose a few pounds for a wedding or other big event. The medication has not been tested for such use, and people taking the drug without medical supervision may suffer from side effects that haven’t been studied.
Dangerous Drugs or Dangerous Use?
All medications can cause side effects, which are unintended symptoms caused by the active ingredients in a drug. Doctors balance potential side effects against the potential benefits of a medication for each patient. They should only prescribe a medication when the benefits outweigh the risks.
The active ingredient in Ozempic, for example, has been linked to acute kidney failure. Type 2 diabetes and related conditions such as high blood pressure and obesity, can also put patients at greater risk of kidney and organ failure as well as other life-threatening complications. A doctor may decide in this situation that Ozempic can be worth the risk to reduce a patient’s risk of diabetes complications.
But what happens when an otherwise healthy patient takes Ozempic to lose a few pounds? If they don’t have doctor supervision and aren’t taking the medication as suggested, they could face serious and unexpected side effects. They may find the promise of quick weight loss just isn’t worth it.
Drug Side Effects and Liability
And what about the responsibility of drug manufacturers? They’re expected to test their products thoroughly and provide detailed, accurate information to the medical community about their medication. If they fail to do so, drug manufacturers can be held liable for the harm and losses their product causes.
So far, there have been many unsafe drugs on the market that have led to deaths and serious injury. The makers of Yaz/Yasmin, Zoloft, Abilify, Clomid Levaquin, Lipitor, Paxil, Rogaine, and many other drugs have been sued by patients who have experienced life-changing injury or side effects. Some patients have even died because of unsafe medical products.
If you’re interested in losing weight, talk to your doctor and follow their recommendations. And if you’re taking any medication for any reason, make sure you understand what the drug is for, how you should take it safely, and what possible side effects might be.
If you take medication and have a serious side effect, contact your pharmacy or doctor right away. Seek emergency help right away if the symptoms are serious. You can also contact Flaxman Law Group 24/7 at 866-352-9626 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a products liability attorney. Our legal team can help you understand whether you may have a case and may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries.