GLP-1 receptor agonists Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide, Eli Lilly) have been linked to multiple serious injuries: severe gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), intestinal obstruction, aspiration pneumonia during surgery, and NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) — a condition where blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, causing sudden vision loss or blindness. Plaintiffs allege the manufacturers knew about the severity of these risks and failed to adequately warn patients. MDL 3094 is one of the fastest-growing mass torts currently in litigation with 10,000+ plaintiffs.
GLP-1 agonists slow gastric emptying as a mechanism of action. In some patients this becomes severe and permanent gastroparesis. During surgery, patients on GLP-1 drugs face elevated aspiration risk due to retained stomach contents despite fasting — multiple aspiration deaths have been reported. Additionally, NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) — sometimes called an "eye stroke" — has been linked to semaglutide use. NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, causing sudden irreversible vision loss. Studies estimate it affects roughly 1 in 10,000 users, but given the tens of millions prescribed GLP-1 drugs, this represents a significant plaintiff population. Failure-to-warn is the primary theory across all injury tracks.
MDL 3094 centralized in late 2023. Primary injury is gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and ileus. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are primary defendants. Discovery ongoing. Science is developing — FDA has updated labeling. No bellwether dates set yet.