Gastrointestinal Complications Overview
⚠️ Serious GI Complications Warning
GLP-1 medications have been linked to severe gastrointestinal complications that can be life-threatening. If you experience persistent nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or inability to eat, seek immediate medical attention.
How GLP-1 Drugs Affect the Digestive System
GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy work by slowing down gastric emptying - the process by which food moves from the stomach to the small intestine. While this effect helps with weight loss by creating feelings of fullness, it can also lead to serious complications:
- Delayed Gastric Emptying: Food stays in the stomach longer than normal
- Reduced Intestinal Motility: Slower movement of food through the intestines
- Altered Digestive Hormones: Changes in how the body processes food
- Inflammation: Potential inflammatory effects on digestive organs
Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis)
What is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach cannot empty properly due to nerve damage or muscle dysfunction. In the context of GLP-1 medications, this occurs because the drugs intentionally slow gastric emptying, but in some cases, this effect becomes permanent or severe.
Common Symptoms:
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Feeling full after eating small amounts
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Acid reflux and heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss due to inability to eat
Gastroparesis Details
A condition where the stomach cannot empty properly, leading to severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Many patients require surgical intervention.
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Treatment Options
Treatment may include dietary changes, medications to stimulate stomach emptying, or in severe cases, surgical procedures like gastric pacemakers or feeding tubes.
Research Findings
A study published in JAMA in October 2023 found that people taking GLP-1 drugs had a significantly higher risk of gastroparesis compared to those taking other weight loss medications. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 patients and found a 3.67-fold increased risk.
Bowel Obstruction
Understanding Bowel Obstruction
Bowel obstruction occurs when there is a blockage preventing food or liquid from moving through the intestines. This can be a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical intervention.
Warning Signs:
- Severe abdominal pain and cramping
- Inability to pass gas or have bowel movements
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal swelling and bloating
- Loss of appetite
- Fever (indicating infection)
Bowel Obstruction Details
Blockages preventing food or liquid from moving through the intestines, requiring emergency medical intervention.
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Emergency Treatment
Bowel obstruction is a medical emergency that may require hospitalization, IV fluids, and sometimes surgery to remove the blockage.
⚠️ Emergency Warning
If you experience symptoms of bowel obstruction, seek immediate medical attention. This condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Intestinal Tissue Death
Intestinal Tissue Death (Necrosis)
In severe cases, GLP-1 medications have been linked to intestinal tissue death, where parts of the intestine lose blood supply and die. This is an extremely serious complication that requires immediate surgical intervention.
Critical Symptoms:
- Severe, sudden abdominal pain
- Abdominal tenderness and rigidity
- Fever and chills
- Rapid heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Signs of shock
Intestinal Tissue Death Details
As reported in multiple cases, requiring surgical removal and permanent ileostomy. Some patients have lost parts of their large intestine.
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Surgical Consequences
Patients may require removal of dead intestinal tissue, leading to permanent ileostomy bags and significant lifestyle changes.
Notable Case: Juanita Gantt
A 62-year-old patient was hospitalized after taking Wegovy and Ozempic. Parts of her large intestine died and needed to be removed. She now lives with a permanent ileostomy bag and has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the Pancreas
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can be life-threatening. Studies have shown an increased risk of pancreatitis in patients taking GLP-1 medications compared to other weight loss medications.
Pancreatitis Symptoms:
- Severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and rapid pulse
- Abdominal tenderness
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Shock in severe cases
Pancreatitis Details
Inflammation of the pancreas that can be life-threatening. Studies show increased risk compared to other weight loss medications.
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Treatment and Recovery
Treatment typically involves hospitalization, IV fluids, pain management, and sometimes surgery. Recovery can take weeks to months.
Research Evidence
The JAMA study from October 2023 found that GLP-1 users had a 9.09-fold increased risk of pancreatitis compared to users of other weight loss medications. This represents a significant safety concern.
Research and Studies
Key Research Findings
Multiple studies have documented the serious gastrointestinal risks associated with GLP-1 medications:
JAMA Study
Research published in JAMA found that people taking GLP-1 drugs had higher risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis compared to other weight loss medications.
Emergency Department Study
Study revealed that an estimated 24,499 people visited emergency departments for adverse events related to semaglutide in just two years following its approval.
Poison Control Data
Pennsylvania and New Jersey poison control centers reported a steep rise in calls related to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, with exposures jumping from 29 cases in 2021 to 189 in 2024.
FDA Monitoring
The FDA continues to monitor adverse event reports and has issued several warnings about GLP-1 medications. The agency has received thousands of reports of serious gastrointestinal complications, including:
- Gastroparesis: Over 1,000 reports of stomach paralysis
- Bowel Obstruction: Hundreds of cases requiring emergency surgery
- Pancreatitis: Multiple reports of life-threatening inflammation
- Intestinal Death: Cases requiring surgical removal of dead tissue
Legal Help for GI Complications
Your Legal Rights
If you or a loved one has experienced serious gastrointestinal complications from GLP-1 medications, you may be entitled to compensation. Our legal team specializes in pharmaceutical litigation and can help you understand your options.
Free Case Evaluation
We offer confidential consultations to assess your case and determine if you have a valid claim for compensation.
No Upfront Costs
We work on a contingency fee basis - you only pay if we win your case. No upfront costs or fees.
Nationwide Representation
We serve clients across the United States and have experience with GLP-1 litigation cases.
Experienced Attorneys
Our team has successfully handled pharmaceutical litigation cases and understands the complex medical issues involved.
Current Litigation Status
As of June 2025, there are 1,882 active lawsuits consolidated in the GLP-1 MDL (Multidistrict Litigation) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Many of these cases involve serious gastrointestinal complications.
Types of Compensation Available
If your case is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Past and future medical costs related to your injury
- Lost Wages: Income lost due to inability to work
- Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional distress
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or misconduct
- Loss of Quality of Life: Permanent lifestyle changes and limitations
Email us today at info@glp1lawsuits.com for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.