- A woman is suing the maker of Ozempic after she says severe side effects led to the removal of her colon.
- She claims she was not warned that this was a potential side effect of the drug.
- However, drug maker Novo Nordisk states that the information is on the product label.
- Experts say GLP-1 drugs can sometimes slow the gastrointestinal tract too much.
- If patients experience severe side effects, it is urgent that they see a doctor.
According to reporting from CBS News, a woman named Juanita Gantt is suing Novo Nordisk, the maker of the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic and the weight loss drug Wegovy, over severe side effects that she says she was not adequately warned about.
The 62-year-old woman was prescribed both of these medications due to her diabetes risk and the fact that she was having difficulty losing weight.
After several months of her using the medications and “feeling fine,” Gantt’s husband suddenly found her lying on the floor unconscious.
Upon seeking medical care, she learned that a portion of her large intestine had died, necessitating its surgical removal.
She additionally says she went into cardiac arrest while recovering from the surgery.
Gantt states that she must now use an ileostomy bag attached to her abdomen to collect waste and remove it from her body because she no longer has a colon.
“I had no warning that this was even a possibility,” she told CBS News.
However, Novo Nordisk told the news outlet that the side effects experienced by Gantt are known and are present on the product label.
It was not stated how much financial compensation she was seeking from the drug manufacturer.
Dr. John Lowe, a physician at Restore Care specializing in weight loss, said that GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy aid in weight loss because they slow the emptying of the stomach.
“This, however, is surprising,” he added, “because sometimes this slow stomach emptying may be associated with some complications like gastroparesis or even bowel obstruction.”
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“When digestion is impaired, as it was in this case, areas of the colon may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, leading to tissue death and subsequent removal,” said Lowe.
Lowe went on to explain that Gantt had ischemic colitis, meaning that the artery supplying blood to the colon burst, leading to the death of the tissue.
“This proved to be very extensive, and as a result, a part of her colon had to be surgically resected,” he said.
Lowe added that she also went into cardiac arrest not long after surgery, which further complicated her recovery.
“Although ischemic colitis on its own is very rare, it can also be a complication that may prove to be more fatal if left untreated or if its causes do not get addressed promptly,” he stated.
Dr. Michael Lahey, a physician with My Weight Loss Partner, agreed that this type of side effect is rare. However, when it does occur it can be severe and cause the type of serious issues faced by Gantt.
According to Lahey, early warning signs of severe side effects from Ozempic can include:
- Cramp-like, constant, severe, or ongoing pain in the stomach or belly area
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Noticeable changes in bowel movements, for example, constipation or loose stools
- Unusual weight loss or difficulty in taking food
“[I]f these symptoms occur and are persistent or worsening, [it] could be due to serious complications,” he said.
“Severe or continuous abdominal pain along with vomiting, dehydration, or black/bloody stools are all reasons why a person should visit their doctor immediately,” said Lowe.
Ignoring these symptoms and not getting prompt medical assistance could lead to ischemic colitis, he noted.
“However, all patients on any type of medication, including Ozempic, must be on the lookout for abnormalities in their digestive system because side effects may worsen very rapidly,” said Lowe.
“This aggressive way of treatment can, however, help prevent the progression of some of the complications,” he said, “such as necrosis and the necessity for more complicated management such as colon removal.”
A woman is suing Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, for an undisclosed amount of money after experiencing severe side effects from these drugs that she says she was not properly warned about.
She ended up needing to have her colon removed and now uses an ileostomy bag.
Experts say Ozempic and Wegovy help with weight loss by slowing stomach emptying. However, blockage can occur if it slows too much, which can cut off blood flow to the intestines leading to potential tissue death.
Pain, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation), unusual weight loss, or problems taking in food are all warning signs of a problem.
Without prompt care, the intestinal tissue can die.
However, a quick response can prevent more severe complications.