GLP-1 Medication Lawsuits in Houston, TX: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & More
GLP-1 receptor agonist medications including Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide) have been among the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States over the past several years — and have generated one of the most rapidly growing waves of product liability litigation in the country. As of May 2026, 3,636 cases are pending in MDL 3094 (gastrointestinal injuries) and 86 cases in MDL No. 3163 (vision loss/NAION), both in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Houston has one of the highest rates of Type 2 diabetes in the United States, driven in part by its demographics and the availability and heavy marketing of GLP-1 medications in the region. Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have been widely prescribed across Houston and Harris County, and a significant number of patients are now presenting with serious gastrointestinal injuries and vision loss that federal litigation has attributed to inadequate warnings by manufacturers.
The core allegation in GLP-1 litigation is that manufacturers Novo Nordisk (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro, Zepbound) failed to adequately warn patients and prescribers about the risk of serious gastrointestinal injuries and permanent vision loss — despite having evidence of these risks. Edward O. Moody, P.A. evaluates GLP-1 injury claims for patients in Houston and across Texas.
What Injuries Are Covered in the GLP-1 Litigation?
Two separate MDLs have been established for GLP-1 injuries:
MDL 3094 — Gastrointestinal Injuries (3,636 cases pending as of May 2026): – Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) — the inability of the stomach to properly move food into the small intestine, causing nausea, vomiting, and malnutrition. Ozempic’s label was updated in January 2025 to state the drug is “not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis,” but plaintiffs allege this was inadequate and belated. – Ileus — impairment of normal bowel movement function – Intestinal obstruction — a blockage preventing passage of food or fluid through the intestine, sometimes requiring emergency surgery – Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas; GLP-1 users face a 9x higher risk of pancreatitis, which can itself lead to gastroparesis
MDL No. 3163 — Vision Loss/NAION (86 cases pending as of May 2026): – Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) — a form of optic nerve stroke causing sudden, permanent vision loss. A 2024 study in JAMA Ophthalmology found semaglutide users had more than a fourfold higher risk of NAION. Overweight patients taking semaglutide for weight loss had a sevenfold higher risk. A second 2024 study of 400,000+ patients confirmed more than double the NAION risk.
Which Drugs Are Covered?
Ozempic (semaglutide — Novo Nordisk) — injectable, approved for Type 2 diabetes
Wegovy (semaglutide — Novo Nordisk) — injectable, higher dose, approved for weight management
Mounjaro (tirzepatide — Eli Lilly) — injectable, approved for Type 2 diabetes
Zepbound (tirzepatide — Eli Lilly) — injectable, approved for weight management
Victoza / Rybelsus (liraglutide/semaglutide oral) — also covered in the GLP-1 litigation
Trulicity (dulaglutide — Eli Lilly) — also included in litigation
Who May Qualify for a GLP-1 Claim in Houston?
Qualifying criteria generally include:
You used one or more of the covered GLP-1 medications listed above
You were diagnosed with a qualifying injury: gastroparesis, ileus, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, NAION, or pulmonary aspiration during surgery while on a GLP-1 medication
Your injury required significant medical intervention: hospitalization, surgery, placement of a feeding tube, or ongoing treatment
Your injury was not pre-existing at the time you began GLP-1 therapy, or was substantially worsened by the medication
Both diabetes patients and weight management patients are eligible — the failure-to-warn claims apply regardless of the prescribing indication. Cases involving vision loss (NAION) are filed in MDL No. 3163 and are separate from gastrointestinal injury claims.
Current Litigation Status and What to Expect
Both GLP-1 MDLs are in active pretrial proceedings. Key developments as of May 2026:
August 2025: The presiding judge largely denied manufacturers’ motions to dismiss, allowing key failure-to-warn claims to proceed
January 2025: Ozempic’s label was updated to state it is “not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis” — but does not acknowledge that the drug causes the condition
December 2025: MDL No. 3163 established for NAION/vision loss cases
March 2026: WHO warned that semaglutide drugs are linked to NAION
Mid-2026 or later: Bellwether trials expected in the gastrointestinal injury MDL
Settlement estimates: $400,000 to over $1 million for severe gastroparesis cases per industry analysis
The litigation is still in the filing stage — more cases are actively being accepted. Early filing may be advantageous as bellwether trial scheduling approaches.
FAQ
Houston patients who developed gastroparesis, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, or vision loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or another GLP-1 medication may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact Edward O. Moody, P.A. for a free confidential case evaluation. Call 501-376-0000. No fee unless we win.