Ozempic, a widely used diabetes and weight loss medication, has come under scrutiny as more than 2,000 lawsuits have been filed against its manufacturer since August 2025.
The complaints allege that the drug causes severe gastrointestinal issues, including gastroparesis — a condition where food moves slowly or stops moving through the stomach, leading to prolonged digestion problems.
Concerns have also emerged over potential vision-related side effects. A recent small-scale study suggested a possible link between the drug and sudden blindness, though researchers stressed that causation remains unclear. Medical experts note that diabetes itself can contribute to eye complications, making it difficult to directly attribute such cases to the drug.
Ozempic works by slowing digestion to help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. However, this mechanism can become problematic in patients with pre-existing conditions such as nerve damage or dehydration.
Despite the lawsuits, the figure represents only 0.0175% of the estimated 12.5 million users of the drug. Health professionals emphasize that more research is needed to determine the risks associated with long-term use, higher doses, and off-label prescriptions.
Meanwhile, experts continue to recommend traditional weight loss methods — such as portion control, balanced diets, and regular exercise — as safer and more cost-effective alternatives for managing health.
