GLP-1 Drugs and Gastroparesis: What Victims Need to Know

Gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, has become one of the most serious adverse events reported by users of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy. For patients in Colorado and nationwide, gastroparesis cases linked to GLP-1 drugs now represent a major category of pharmaceutical litigation. 

These lawsuits focus on whether manufacturers failed to warn that GLP-1’s digestive-slowing effects can also cause severe gastric issues. If you are experiencing persistent nausea or food intolerance after taking a GLP-1 medication, our mass tort lawyers can help evaluate whether your case meets the evidentiary standards for a drug injury claim. 

In this article, we explain how GLP-1 drugs can lead to gastroparesis, what documentation you need to support a legal claim, who qualifies to file a lawsuit, the current status of federal GLP-1 litigation,  and what compensation may be available to victims.

How GLP-1 Drugs Can Lead to Gastroparesis

GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a natural hormone that reduces appetite and delays gastric emptying. However, when used chronically or at higher doses, that slowed motility can evolve into functional paralysis of the stomach, the hallmark of gastroparesis.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, patients on GLP-1 therapies experience significantly higher rates of gastrointestinal adverse events compared with non-users. Common clinical findings in these cases include:

• Persistent nausea and early satiety lasting weeks or months after discontinuation of the drug.
• Abdominal distention confirmed by imaging that shows retained food or fluid in the stomach.
• Weight loss and dehydration requiring IV therapy or feeding support.
• Delayed gastric emptying, documented on a scintigraphic gastric-emptying study.

When these symptoms persist despite stopping the medication, physicians often diagnose medication-induced gastroparesis.

For answers to your questions, call:
(303) 999-9999

Establishing Medical and Legal Proof

From a legal standpoint, gastroparesis litigation depends on the clarity of diagnosis. Courts require objective medical documentation, including gastric emptying studies, endoscopy findings, and hospitalization records that align with drug exposure dates.

Our attorneys collaborate with gastroenterologists and pharmacology experts to connect these medical results with regulatory timelines, identifying when each manufacturer first received safety data, how that information was reported to the FDA, and whether labeling was updated promptly. 

This often decides whether a case qualifies under federal product liability standards. As founding attorney Jon C. Boesen explains, “what turns a medical complication into a legal claim isn’t just the injury itself, it’s proof that the manufacturer failed to warn when the risks became foreseeable.”

Evidence You’ll Need to Support a Gastroparesis Claim

Building a viable GLP-1 gastroparesis case depends entirely on the quality of the evidence. Every successful claim is grounded in verifiable documentation that links the timing of symptoms to the medication, such as:

• Prescription records confirming the drug name, dosage, and refill dates. Pharmacies typically keep detailed logs that can establish exposure over time.
• Hospital and ER documentation showing episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, or dehydration that required medical intervention.
• Diagnostic imaging and testing, including endoscopy reports, gastric-emptying studies, and lab data showing nutritional deficits or electrolyte abnormalities.
• Physician correspondence or treatment notes directly associating the gastroparesis diagnosis with GLP-1 use, or ruling out alternative causes like diabetic neuropathy.
• Symptom journals and employment records that track missed workdays or functional limitations caused by ongoing GI distress.

Our attorneys use these records to build a timeline demonstrating that symptoms began after GLP-1 exposure and persisted despite discontinuation. This process of establishing the elements of a product liability claim also helps rule out defenses based on unrelated medical conditions or lifestyle factors.

Who May Qualify to File a Gastroparesis Lawsuit

Legal claims focus on cases where the injury was both serious and medically verified. You may qualify if you meet the following conditions:

• Documented use of a GLP-1 receptor agonist, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, or Trulicity.
• Diagnosis of gastroparesis or “stomach paralysis” confirmed by gastric-emptying testing or endoscopy.
• Hospitalization, feeding-tube placement, or other intensive medical interventions for persistent vomiting or dehydration.
• Evidence that the prescribing provider was not adequately warned about long-term motility risks.
• Ongoing complications linked to GLP-1 exposure, such as inability to tolerate normal meals, chronic weight loss, or reduced work capacity.

Current Litigation 

GLP-1 lawsuits are being centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under MDL 3094. The master complaint alleges that Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and other manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about severe gastrointestinal risks.

The MDL encompasses over 1,800 active cases, with thousands more under investigation. For patients and families, this consolidation means that individual claims can benefit from shared expert testimony and scientific findings developed during “Science Day” hearings, which focus on medical causation and class-wide safety signals.

Even patients who discontinued the drug months ago may still have actionable claims. An attorney from Boesen Law can assess whether your documentation meets the standards for inclusion in the GLP-1 multidistrict litigation (MDL 3094) and help you craft a strong strategy.

Potential Compensation for GLP-1 Gastroparesis Victims

Recoverable damages in gastroparesis claims may include:

• Medical expenses: Hospitalization, diagnostic testing, enteral or parenteral feeding, and gastroenterology follow-ups.
• Economic losses: Lost income, diminished earning capacity, and future treatment costs projected by life-care planners.
• Non-economic damages: Pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of normal diet and social life.
• Punitive damages: Available if discovery shows that a manufacturer delayed or concealed known safety risks.

How Our Attorneys Assist Patients

The attorneys at Boesen Law guide patients through each step of pharmaceutical litigation, from evidence retrieval to expert coordination and settlement negotiation. We also work with clients’ treating physicians to ensure that symptom timelines, diagnostic proof, and medication histories are all aligned. 

This preparation strengthens both settlement posture and trial readiness. We have decades of experience handling cases involving defective drugs and devices, so our team knows how to make these cases succeed.

If you suspect a GLP-1 medication caused your gastroparesis, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation to review your medical records and discuss the next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1 Gastroparesis Lawsuits

What symptoms indicate gastroparesis after taking a GLP-1 drug?

Common symptoms include persistent nausea, early fullness after eating, vomiting undigested food hours later, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.

Can I file a claim if I stopped taking the drug months ago?

Yes. Many patients continue to experience symptoms long after discontinuing the medication. What matters is whether your medical records show that the onset of stomach paralysis or chronic vomiting followed GLP-1 exposure and that other causes were ruled out by your physician.

Do I need hospitalization to qualify for a claim?

Not necessarily, but documented ER visits, dehydration, or IV nutrition can strengthen your case. 

Are these lawsuits part of a federal MDL?

Yes. Claims involving gastroparesis and similar gastrointestinal injuries are consolidated under MDL No. 3094, which combines lawsuits against manufacturers such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. This centralization allows plaintiffs to share scientific experts and court findings.

What if my doctor told me the drug was safe?

Even if your doctor said the drug was safe, manufacturers are responsible for providing adequate warnings. Your claim would generally target the company, not the prescribing physician, unless there’s clear evidence of medical negligence.

What should I do before contacting a lawyer?

Gather your pharmacy records, hospital discharge summaries, and any imaging or test results. Keep a dated record of symptoms, treatments, and missed workdays. This documentation allows our legal team to quickly evaluate whether your case meets the criteria for inclusion in the GLP-1 litigation.

Call (303) 999-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form