Home / Health / Ozempic Lawsuit: Stomach Paralysis Death Alleged
Ozempic Lawsuit: Stomach Paralysis Death Alleged
13 Mar
Summary
- A woman died from stomach paralysis after taking Ozempic for six months.
- Her family alleges Novo Nordisk failed to warn about severe gastrointestinal risks.
- The lawsuit was filed on March 3, 2026, seeking damages and a jury trial.
A lawsuit filed on March 3, 2026, accuses Novo Nordisk of wrongful death, alleging the company failed to warn about severe gastrointestinal risks associated with Ozempic. The suit centers on the death of Marsha Ettinghoff, 76, who reportedly died in August 2024 from gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, after taking the weight loss drug for six months.
Ettinghoff's family claims she experienced severe nausea and vomiting, leading to her death from aspiration on vomit while en route to the hospital. Their attorneys assert Novo Nordisk knew or should have known about the dangers of GLP-1 medications, including serious digestive issues, but inadequately updated product warnings.
Novo Nordisk has denied the allegations, stating patient safety is a top priority and that they work closely with the FDA to monitor drug safety. The company remains confident in the benefit-risk profile of its GLP-1 medicines when used as indicated.
This case is part of a larger federal multidistrict litigation in Pennsylvania, where over 2,000 individual lawsuits have been consolidated. Another lawsuit, filed in April 2025, involves allegations of legal blindness linked to Ozempic. Separately, a deal was announced in November to expand Medicare coverage and reduce prices for popular obesity drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
