Mounjaro Lawsuit

Recent Mounjaro lawsuits allege the medicine has caused serious side effects. Some claim it has caused chronic vomiting, intestinal blockage, stomach paralysis and more. The first case was filed in Louisiana in August 2023. Others followed and are now part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Why Are People Filing Mounjaro Lawsuits?

Mounjaro lawsuits claim the medicine caused severe gastrointestinal problems like stomach paralysis. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable medicine.

Mounjaro has U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat type 2 diabetes. It has been used off-label as a weight-loss drug. Recently, the FDA approved it under the name Zepbound as a weight-loss drug for obese adults.

Some of the specific complaints include:

• Chronic or severe vomiting
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Intestinal blockage or obstruction
• Intestinal paralysis (ileus)
• Stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)

Mounjaro belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These diabetes drugs help the body release insulin and lower blood sugar. They also help people feel full more quickly, leading to weight loss.

Eli Lilly and Company, the drug manufacturer, claims Mounjaro and Zepbound are safe and continues to sell them.

Mounjaro and Stomach Paralysis

Some people say Mounjaro has caused stomach paralysis (gastroparesis). This condition affects the stomach's ability to digest food and move it to the small intestines. It causes food to sit in the stomach longer than normal - in some cases much longer.

Food usually stays in the stomach for between 40 and 120 minutes. But people with stomach paralysis can have food stay in their stomachs for more than 5 hours. This slowed movement of food is called delayed gastric emptying.

People who took Mounjaro have experienced this issue. And some doctors believe Mounjaro and similar drugs may be to blame. They speculate the drugs either caused or made the problem worse. Researchers have not studied how frequently stomach paralysis occurs in patients taking Mounjaro.

Doctors have researched how a similar drug, liraglutide, affected people. They compared stomach emptying in patients taking liraglutide to those taking a placebo. For patients taking liraglutide, it took 70 minutes for half their food to pass through the stomach. In the placebo group, it took about 4 minutes. This data may have contributed to the belief among some doctors that liraglutide and similar drugs could cause stomach paralysis.

Warning From the American Society of Anesthesiologists

Mounjaro and similar drugs have also raised concerns within the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). In June 2023, the organization issued early guidelines related to GLP-1 receptor agonists. The ASA recommends patients stop using the drugs before an elective surgery.

Because these drugs can cause chronic vomiting and slow digestion, they can pose a problem during surgery. A potential risk for patients under anesthesia is aspiration. A patient can aspirate (choke) if they throw up while under anesthesia.

However, the president of the ASA stated they do not have enough data on the effects of these drugs. With more studies, the ASA may be able to offer more precise guidelines.

Who Can File a Mounjaro Lawsuit?

If Mounjaro use has caused medical issues, you may meet eligibility requirements to file a lawsuit. Attorneys experienced with Mounjaro lawsuits can explain what makes a good case.

Patients who took Mounjaro and experienced the following may be able to file:

• Gastroparesis
• Bowel or intestinal obstruction
• Chronic vomiting for 4 weeks or more and with hospitalization
• Gallbladder problems, including surgical removal
• Pancreas problems, including pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or pancreas surgery

If you believe you may have a case, you should speak to a Mounjaro attorney today. The lawyer can help you find any necessary medical records and advise you on the best way to pursue legal damages.

Mounjaro Lawsuits

Mounjaro lawsuits have only recently come forward because it is a newer drug. In fact, the first Mounjaro lawsuit was filed in August 2023. By February 2024, at least 55 cases had been filed. As more people learn about the side effects, more lawsuits may come forward.

Statistics show roughly 168,000 active prescriptions of Mounjaro in February 2023. By comparison, Ozempic (semaglutide) is the leading drug of this type. At the same time point, Americans held roughly 373,000 active Ozempic prescriptions.

Mounjaro Class Actions and Multidistrict Litigation

Cases against Eli Lilly were consolidated via multidistrict litigation into MDL 3094 in February 2024. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated the cases after review. The new MDL includes the drug makers of both Mounjaro and Ozempic.

An MDL consolidates the early legal steps to streamline similar legal processes. The case returns to the original court after the district court completes those steps. Judge Gene E. K. Pratter will preside over the proceedings. The cases will appear in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The majority of pending cases are filed against Novo Nordisk, the makers of Ozempic. A smaller number of cases have been filed against Eli Lilly, which objected to being included in the MDL.

Mounjaro Lawsuit: Settlements and Verdicts

As of February 2024, no verified lawsuits have ended in a verdict or a settlement. MDL 3094 cases have not progressed to the bellwether trials. These trials essentially test how a jury will perceive a case. Bellwethers may guide the MDL participants as they work toward a resolution.

While no cases have been completed for a GLP-1 receptor agonist, other MDLs against drug manufacturers have been successful. Two examples include:

• Fosamax MDL: This case involved Merck's Fosamax and was consolidated under MDL No. 1789. Plaintiffs claimed the osteoporosis drug caused osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). ONJ is a condition where bone cells in the jaw die. Merck settled roughly 1,200 cases for $27.7 million.
• Pradaxa MDL: MDL No. 2385 closed in 2014 after consolidating two years before. Plaintiffs claimed the Pradaxa caused bleeding complications. The MDL included roughly 4,000 cases. Drug manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim settled for $650 million.

Past trial outcomes cannot predict those of future cases. These examples may not be similar to what happens with pending Mounjaro lawsuits. At this early stage, it is difficult to predict what might happen with MDL 3094. But if you had serious side effects from Mounjaro, you should speak to an attorney about your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mounjaro Lawsuits

Is Compounded Mounjaro Safe?

The safety of compounded Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is unknown, but experts say it may cause harm. Testing of some of these compounds found high levels of impurities. Eli Lilly has sued manufacturers of compounded tirzepatide. The company claims it has taken this action for Mounjaro patient safety.

Does Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Cause Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis)?

Doctors have reported stomach paralysis in patients using Mounjaro. Some doctors think Mounjaro started or made the gastroparesis worse. But experts need more information about these cases. They cannot say for certain if it is a side effect.

Does Mounjaro Cause Gallbladder Problems?

Mounjaro's drug label lists gallbladder problems as a possible side effect. In clinical trials, some patients developed gallstones or pain caused by gallstones. Extreme cases may require doctors surgically remove the gallbladder.

What Are the Serious Side Effects of Mounjaro?

The manufacturer notes serious side effects are uncommon but possible. Serious Mounjaro side effects include:

• Inflammation of the gallbladder (acute gallbladder disease)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Kidney injury or worsened kidney failure
• Serious allergic reactions
• Worsening of diabetic vision problems (retinopathy)
• Very low blood sugar