Woman Alleges Ozempic Led to Colon Removal

A woman named Juanita Gantt has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, the company behind the diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, claiming that the medications caused serious side effects that weren’t adequately warned about on the label.

Gantt shared her story, explaining that her doctor initially prescribed Wegovy, and later Ozempic, due to concerns she was at risk of developing diabetes. At the time, she weighed 242 pounds. For a while, Gantt said the drugs worked well for her: “I was feeling fine. I enjoyed the days that I didn’t have to worry about my appetite. I didn’t have cravings. I just felt like I was doing something positive for myself.”

However, in October 2023, Gantt experienced a life-threatening complication. She collapsed at home and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered that parts of her large intestine had died and needed to be removed. During her recovery, Gantt’s heart stopped, and she now lives with an ileostomy bag, a medical device that helps her body eliminate waste.

Gantt said she had no warning that such serious complications could happen. The main ingredients in Ozempic and Wegovy—semaglutide and liraglutide—are part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs can slow digestion, which can sometimes lead to severe digestive issues if taken long-term. Last year, similar drugs were linked to cases of stomach paralysis, a condition where digestion is dangerously delayed.

Dr. Alexander Abkin, a bariatric surgeon in New Jersey, emphasizes the importance of understanding all treatment options for weight loss. “Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can be effective in managing weight, but they do come with risks, as we’ve seen in recent cases. Bariatric surgery, on the other hand, has been proven to offer long-term weight loss benefits with a more predictable outcome. For many patients, especially those with severe obesity, surgery can provide a safer and more effective solution.”

Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, responded to the lawsuit, stating that they are sympathetic to Gantt’s health challenges but believe the lawsuit has no merit. They also mentioned that their GLP-1 medications have been used safely for many years and that potential risks are clearly outlined in the product’s labeling.

Dr. Abkin adds, “While medications can help in specific cases, bariatric surgery remains one of the most reliable ways to achieve significant, lasting weight loss. It not only helps patients lose weight but also resolves conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Patients need to weigh all options and consider what will provide them with the safest, most sustainable results.”