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 & Ileus
While Mounjaro is meant to help people manage their weight by making them feel fuller and reduce food cravings, Mounjaro has been alleged to cause Ileus and small bowel obstructions.
Ileus is a condition where your intestine can’t push food and waste out of your body. It is much like a traffic jam where there is congestion, but not a physical blockage.
Symptoms of Ileus and small bowel obstructions include:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Stomach cramps
- Watery stools
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
While the manufacturers of Mounjaro warned patients of numerous side effects associated with the drug, there were no warnings for ileus prior to 2023.
Ileus Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors conduct several tests to diagnose ileus such as:
- Blood tests to measure electrolyte and mineral levels
- Imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans
- Barium enema to check for abnormalities
- Barium “milkshake” to follow the path of the drink as it goes through your small/upper intestine
Treatment for ileus and small bowel obstruction often starts with giving your intestines time to rest by avoiding food and drink for 1–3 days. Doctors may adjust medications that could be contributing to the issue, like strong painkillers. Other treatments can include IV fluids to prevent dehydration, medications to help restart intestinal movement (prokinetics), or using a tube through the nose or rectum to relieve pressure from gas and fluid buildup. In some cases, electrical stimulation or simply sitting upright can help. If these steps don’t work, surgery might be needed, including procedures like inserting a stent, removing the affected section, or creating an ostomy.
Mounjaro & NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy)
Non-arteritic anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) refers to the loss of blood flow to the optic nerve. This is the “cable” that connects the eye to the brain. This condition often causes sudden vision loss in one eye. It is common for a patient to notice this upon waking in the morning. NAION is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. It’s diagnosed through an eye exam and tests to rule out other causes. There’s no proven treatment—steroids have shown unclear results—and glasses don’t help. It rarely returns in the same eye but may affect the other in about 30% of cases. Managing health conditions and avoiding nighttime blood pressure meds may lower risk.
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
- Ozempic Lawsuit
- Wegovy Lawsuit
- Rybelsus Lawsuit
- Trulicity Lawsuit
- Zepbound Lawsuit
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, ileus, or NAION, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new Mounjaro 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.