Mounjaro is a new drug designed to improve blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. The Food & Drug Administration approved Mounjaro for use in May 2022.
According to Patrick Archdeacon, M.D. at the FDA, Mounjaro is an “important advance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.”
However, according to medical literature and case studies, Mounjaro could cause a debilitating condition called gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis.
What is Mounjaro?
Manufactured by Eli Lilly, Mounjaro is a prescription injection drug targeting type 2 diabetes in adults. The drug is administered once a week, alongside diet and exercise. Mounjaro injections’ active ingredient is tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide mimics two hormones in the body, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which are receptor agonists to stimulate insulin secretion, slowing digestion and suppressing hunger. The drug can be adjusted weekly to meet blood sugar goals as tolerated by the patient.
Tirzepatide is the first FDA-approved drug in the GLP-1 and GIP drug class.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common diabetes type and is a progressive condition in which the body does not make or use insulin normally. Low levels of insulin lead to high levels of glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream.
Diabetes is extremely common in America. Over 30 million Americans are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss Drugs on the Market
Due to the rise of TikTok influencers and celebrity endorsements, Mounjaro is frequently used off-label by patients looking for weight management medications. As a result, Mounjaro saw a two-month shortage earlier this year because of high consumer demand.
Mounjaro is not the only trending drug for weight loss. Similar drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Saxenda are injection drugs used to treat diabetes and weight loss. Ozempic and Wegovy contain a different active ingredient called semaglutide.
As of September 2023, Mounjaro’s active ingredient tirzepatide is not FDA-approved to treat specifically weight loss. Eli Lilly has stated that Mounjaro is intended only for people with type 2 diabetes. However, consumers are purchasing off-brand versions of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) for weight loss.
Mounjaro & Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis)
Gastroparesis is a serious stomach condition in which food moves too slowly from the stomach to the small intestine. In severe cases, food may stop altogether in the intestine. Food that stays undigested in the body may harden in the stomach.
Symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Severe dehydration
- Acid reflux
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
Stomach paralysis can lead to medical complications such as:
- Dehydration from excessive vomiting
- Malnutrition
- Difficulty controlling blood sugar level
- Low-calorie intake
- Bezoars (solid mass of food in the stomach preventing digestion)
- Blockage from bezoars
- Ulcers from bezoars
- Internal bleeding from bezoars
- Diminished quality of life
Gastroparesis Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors can conduct a variety of tests to diagnose stomach paralysis in a patient suffering from the above-listed symptoms. Such tests include:
- Gastric emptying tests (tests how fast the stomach empties)
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (examination of stomach via a tiny camera on a tube)
- Ultrasound
After a gastroparesis diagnosis, doctors work with their patients on the best course of action to treat the condition. A few methods to alleviate symptoms are:
- Diet
- Medication to stimulate stomach muscles
- Medication to control vomiting and nausea
- Surgical procedure to place a feeding tube
- Electrical stimulation in the stomach to move food
Researchers are still investigating new methods and medications to treat stomach paralysis.
Mounjaro Lawsuit
Users of weight loss or diabetes injection drugs such as Mounjaro have reported serious gastrointestinal complications, including stomach paralysis.
A recent lawsuit filed in August 2023 alleged that the manufacturers of Mounjaro and Ozempic caused a patient’s stomach paralysis and hospitalization.
Mounjaro gastroparesis lawsuits may compensate for:
- Medical treatment costs
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering related to injuries, treatment, and recovery
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of earning capacity
As of September 2023, lawsuits against Mounjaro and similar weight loss and diabetes injection drugs are still in the early stages. Manufacturers of these drugs have listed side effects; however, gastroparesis is not listed. This could indicate a failure to warn consumers of serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Other Stomach Paralysis Lawsuits
Questions About a Mounjaro Stomach Paralysis Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one took Mounjaro and have since suffered from stomach paralysis, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new stomach paralysis lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
Free Case Evaluation
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.