Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Wegovy is a medication for diabetes and weight loss that can help you lose up to 15% of your body weight in just over a year. Administered as a weekly injection, it is most effective when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy in 2021 to help adults with obesity or who are overweight manage their weight. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, reduces hunger and increases feelings of fullness.

Wegovy is a higher-dose version of a similar medication called Ozempic, which treats Type 2 diabetes and heart disease in people with diabetes. Novo Nordisk manufactures both drugs.

People often compare Wegovy and Ozempic to another medication called Mounjaro. They all involve injections to help with diabetes management or weight loss.

As more people started using Wegovy, concerns about its safety, potential side effects and the responsibilities of those who prescribe it have grown.

Wegovy is one of the medications named in lawsuits claiming diabetes and weight loss drugs led to serious gastrointestinal injuries and vision loss.

How Wegovy Works

Wegovy works by imitating a natural hormone that regulates hunger and sugar processing in your body, known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). By mimicking GLP-1, Wegovy targets various aspects of hunger to support weight loss.

Wegovy plays a role in improving blood sugar levels. It enhances insulin production to help your body use food for energy while lowering the levels of sugar, also known as glucose, in your system. This can be beneficial if you are managing Type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy can also positively influence overall health by addressing heart disease. The medication was found to lower the chances of significant cardiac events like heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death.

Clinical trials have shown significant weight loss compared to not using the drug. Researchers reported that after 68 weeks, a large portion of people taking Wegovy achieved weight loss of 5%, 10% and 15% compared to those not taking the medication.

However, Wegovy can contribute to gastrointestinal side effects, including delayed digestion, nausea, vomiting and stomach paralysis (gastroparesis).

Alternatives to Wegovy

Wegovy is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. There are several medications in this class, and some may work better for you than others. These drugs are typically prescribed for weight management or diabetes.

You should talk with your doctor if you are wondering about the differences between Mounjaro vs. Ozempic. A medical provider can also help you decide which one is better for you when comparing Wegovy vs. Ozempic.

Wegovy’s original label included a black box warning about the risk of certain cancers found in animal tests. A black box warning is the FDA’s most serious alert.

The black box warning says that people with personal or family histories of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Wegovy.

As of March 31, 2025, the FDA had received 6,852 adverse event reports related to Wegovy. Of those, 2,989 were classified as serious, including 60 deaths.

While the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) contains reports on a specific drug, this does not necessarily mean that the drug caused the adverse event.

Since initially approving Wygovy, the FDA has required multiple warning updates to its label.

Wegovy’s most common side effects are minor. However, studies suggest there are rare but serious side effects that include stomach paralysis, intestinal blockage and a type of permanent vision loss called NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy).

Stomach Paralysis and Intestinal Blockages

Wegovy works in part by slowing the rate of stomach emptying. Studies have found that this is associated with gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and intestinal blockages.

A 2025 study in BMJ Open Gastroenterology discovered that people taking Wegovy, Ozempic or Rybelsus had a higher risk of developing gastroparesis. Their risk was over three times higher than people on a weight loss drug called bupropion-naltrexone and more than six times higher than those who had a sleeve gastrectomy.

“Wegovy’s delayed gastric emptying may cause or exacerbate gastroparesis in those so predisposed, something I’m seeing with increasing frequency in practice,” Dr. Bharat Pothuri, a board-certified gastroenterologist and founder of GastroDox in Houston, told Drugwatch.

He added that “the gastrointestinal risks aren’t trivial.”

A 2023 study in Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B found that people taking GLP-1 medications experience intestinal blockages, known as ileus, at a rate 3.5 times higher than those who do not.

An ileus warning was added to the label of Wegovy in 2023.

Permanent Vision Loss

Studies have suggested an association between Wegovy and sudden loss of sight, known as NAION. The eye condition, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, is characterized by poor blood flow to the optic nerve. This results in sudden but painless vision loss.

As of July 2025, the FDA has not required Novo Nordisk to add a NAION warning to Wegovy’s label.

A 2024 study published in the International Journal of Retina and Vitreous found that using a semaglutide like Wegovy more than doubled the risk of NAION over five years. This increased risk was the same regardless of whether or not people had diabetes.

A 2025 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found a small but increased risk of NAION in people taking semaglutide. The American Academy of Ophthalmology highlighted this study, saying it showed “patients taking semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — may be at higher risk of developing an eye condition that can cause blindness.”

“For NAION, however, rare though it is, I do believe sight-related side effects should be given a more prominent place on the label. Perception of these drugs as ‘miracle drugs’ may obscure dangerous complications that require more informed consent.” Dr. Pothuri said.

After the results of the gastrointestinal and vision loss studies were published, people began filing lawsuits against Wegovy. These lawsuits claim the medication caused stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages and other gastric injuries. Some cases also allege that Wegovy caused NAION.

All Wegovy lawsuits are in the early stages of litigation. There have been no trials, verdicts or settlements. Lawyers are continuing to accept new cases.

Wegovy Lawsuits Claiming Gastroparesis and Stomach Injuries

Wegovy lawsuits claiming gastroparesis, intestinal blockages and other gastrointestinal injuries have been combined in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in an Eastern Pennsylvania federal court.

MDLs allow several similar lawsuits to be consolidated into a single litigation, expediting the legal process.

As of July 2025, there were 1,997 lawsuits pending in the MDL. The MDL involves lawsuits naming Wegovy along with other GLP-1 drugs.

The lawsuits claim that Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications caused “gastroparesis, ileus, intestinal obstruction or pseudo-obstruction or other gastrointestinal injury.”

Each lawsuit alleges that GLP-1 medications may cause stomach injuries. They question whether the manufacturers were aware of these risks and if they adequately informed patients and doctors.

Additionally, the lawsuits raise concerns about the misleading or incomplete safety information.

Wegovy Lawsuits Claiming Vision Loss

Lawyers filing Wegovy lawsuits related to vision loss cite studies indicating an increased risk of NAION among individuals taking Wegovy and Ozempic. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both drugs.

These lawsuits also claim that Eli Lilly didn’t warn doctors and patients about the risks of NAION.

“There are obviously other risks that are warned about with taking Ozempic or Wegovy, but a lot of those risks are temporary in nature,” Danielle Gold told Drugwatch. “If you develop NAION while on this medication, it will likely result in permanent visual impairment.”

Lawyers have been filing the NANION-related Wegovy and Ozempic lawsuits in a New Jersey state court, because that’s where Novo Nordisk’s U.S. operations are headquartered. They want to consolidate the cases into a single litigation in state court.

If you experience severe side effects after taking Wegovy, it’s important to take specific steps. These include getting medical help, consulting with your doctor and talking to an attorney if you’ve been seriously injured.

Should You Stop Taking Wegovy?

You should not stop taking Wegovy or any other prescription medication without talking to your doctor first. Stopping a medication suddenly can result in potential side effects. Your doctor can recommend a way to stop taking Wegovy safely.

You may want to stop taking Wegovy if you experience severe side effects like:

• Depression or changes in mood
• Gallbladder issues
• Gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Fast heartbeat
• Kidney problems
• Severe abdominal pain
• Pancreatitis
• Signs of low blood sugar, including dizziness, sweating or confusion
• Vision changes

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these life-threatening side effects after taking Wegovy.

You can report serious side effects that you experience from Wegovy to the FDA’s MedWatch program. You can also report health issues you have with other medicines, medical devices, dietary supplements, baby formula and cosmetics.

If you or someone in your family has experienced a severe reaction to Wegovy, it’s important to inform your doctor. They can provide important medical information that will help the FDA understand what happened and improve safety for everyone.

How To File a Wegovy Lawsuit

If you’re considering filing a lawsuit due to issues with Wegovy, you can get a free case assessment from Drugwatch. Just fill out a short form, and a team member will contact you to discuss your experience and see if you have a case.

Our evaluations are completely free, with no obligation to proceed. You’ll receive helpful information and support regardless of your decision.

Drugwatch has vetted national law firms specializing in personal injury and dangerous drug cases. We can connect you with a trusted attorney who understands your situation.

Be sure to collect your medical records beforehand so you can refer to them if needed. Legal deadlines vary by state, so reaching out today can help you take the steps to find the help you need.

A Wegovy lawsuit is not just about financial compensation. It’s also about holding drug companies accountable and protecting others.