By Kay Srinath, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of pixabay.com
On April 24, 2025, attorneys representing a Maryland man, Todd Engel, filed a negligence lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic.[1] The lawsuit alleges that use of the medication caused the plaintiff to suffer vision loss, leading to permanent legal blindness.[2]
Ozempic, an FDA-approved medication containing semaglutide, was originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes.[3] In recent years, however, it has gained immense popularity as a weight loss drug, with millions of Americans now using Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications for non-diabetic purposes.[4] Despite its widespread use, increasing concerns have emerged regarding the long-term safety of semaglutide-based medications.[5]
Engel was prescribed Ozempic in 2023 to manage his Type 2 diabetes.[6] About four months later, Engel was diagnosed with nonarthritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition in which a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve causes sudden and irreversible vision loss.[7]
Engel’s case is just one in a myriad of lawsuits filed across the country against Novo Nordisk and other pharmaceutical manufacturers that produce Ozempic and similar drugs.[8] Plaintiffs allege that semaglutide can cause severe and potentially irreversible medical conditions, including gastroparesis.[9] Gastroparesis is a disorder in which weakened stomach muscles severely impair digestion, leading to chronic pain, nausea, and other complications.[10] Recent studies have also found potential links between GLP-1 medications and vision-related conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and NAION.[11]
In the master complaint, plaintiffs further claim that Novo Nordisk and other manufacturers failed to adequately warn both consumers and healthcare professionals about these risks.[12] Specifically, the lawsuits argue that the companies had access to clinical trial data, patient reports, and post-market surveillance indicating the potential for serious gastrointestinal and neurological side effects yet continued to market the drugs aggressively as safe and effective.[13] Plaintiffs allege that critical warnings about gastroparesis, intestinal blockages, and persistent vomiting were either downplayed or omitted entirely from labeling and advertising materials.[14] Had the risks been properly disclosed, healthcare providers could have prescribed alternative treatments, thereby preventing serious harm.[15]
In response, Novo Nordisk has publicly denied any wrongdoing.[16] A company spokesperson stated that NAION is not an adverse drug reaction associated with Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications.[17] Novo Nordisk maintains that the benefit-risk profile of semaglutide “remains unchanged” following an internal safety assessment and independent studies from the University of Southern Denmark, neither of which found a causal relationship between GLP-1 use and vision loss.[18]
At the federal level, the national multidistrict litigation consolidating claims involving Ozempic and other GLP-1 weight loss drugs is now progressing.[19] The presiding judge recently established key deadlines: expert discovery must be completed by March 27, 2026, and motions for summary judgment are due by April 16, 2026.[20]
Nevertheless, these lawsuits have highlighted the growing need for transparency and vigilance within the pharmaceutical industry. The rapid rise in popularity of drugs like Ozempic has outpaced public awareness of their potential health risks. This litigation underscores the importance of robust post-market monitoring, clearer communication of drug side effects, and stronger regulatory oversight to ensure that safety concerns are promptly identified and disclosed. Beyond the legal implications, these cases have sparked a broader national discussion about informed consent, ethical marketing practices, and the balance between medical innovation and patient safety.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lawsuit-alleges-man-diabetes-became-blind-taking-ozempic-rcna202959
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] https://federal-lawyer.com/injury-lawsuit/ozempic/
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] https://www.forthepeople.com/sites/default/files/2023-08/Morgan%20%26%20Morgan%20Ozempic%20Bjorklund%20complaint%208.2.23.pdf
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.
[16] https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/03/business/ozempic-mounjoro-lawsuit
[17] Id.
[18]17 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lawsuit-alleges-man-diabetes-became-blind-taking-ozempic-rcna202959
[19] https://federal-lawyer.com/injury-lawsuit/ozempic/
[20] Id.