Juanita Gantt, a 62-year-old woman, is suing Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer behind the popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, after claiming the medication led to the removal of her colon.
According to People, Gantt alleges that the drug’s labeling failed to adequately warn her about potential severe side effects.
The Woman Was Prescribed Wegovy and then Ozempic
Gantt, who was first prescribed Wegovy and later switched to Ozempic to prevent diabetes, shared her ordeal on CBS Mornings. “I was feeling fine… I didn’t have cravings. I just felt like I was doing something positive for myself,” she said. But in October 2023, Gantt’s health took a turn when her husband found her unconscious. She claims that her colon had died, requiring emergency surgery to remove it, and during her recovery, she went into cardiac arrest. Today, Gantt lives with an ileostomy bag, a reminder of the life-changing procedure.
“I had no warning that this was even a possibility,” she expressed in her interview with CBS, reinforcing her belief that Novo Nordisk failed to provide proper caution on the medication’s risks.
Ozempic Is Getting Out Of Hand
The lawsuit draws attention to semaglutide and liraglutide, the active ingredients in Ozempic and Wegovy, which are GLP-1 receptor agonists. While these drugs help delay food digestion for weight loss, concerns have been raised about their potential to cause gastroparesis — a condition where the stomach’s ability to digest food slows to a harmful degree. As People highlighted, in July 2023, similar reports about these drugs causing digestive issues began to surface, putting a spotlight on the hidden dangers some users face.
In response to the lawsuit, Novo Nordisk issued a statement to People, asserting, “We are aware of the health challenges this patient has experienced and are sympathetic to her health journey. Patient safety is our top priority… However, Novo Nordisk believes that the allegations in this lawsuit are without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend against these claims.”
Read also: The Truth Behind the Ozempic Face: A Dangerous Beauty Trend
The company further explained that GLP-1 medicines have been used for nearly two decades to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity and emphasized that they have undergone thorough clinical trials. “Semaglutide has been extensively examined… and has cumulatively over 9.5 million patient years of clinical experience,” the statement continued. Novo Nordisk reassured that all known risks and benefits of their products are outlined in FDA-approved labeling.
Ozempic has recently gained popularity in Hollywood for its rapid weight loss effects, but it has sparked controversy due to side effects like the so-called “Ozempic Face,” which occurs after sudden weight loss.
While Gantt’s case shines a light on the serious risks that may come with these drugs, her story underscores a broader message to others who might consider using them: “It could happen to you.”
