Weight loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy have been linked to at least 162 deaths since 2018, according to reports by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

These 162 fatalities linked to semaglutide – the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy – and tirzepatide – the active ingredient in Mounjaro – were first reported in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), a database of side effects linked to prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.

Out of the 162 deaths, 94 were linked to Ozempic and Wegovy. The other 68 deaths were linked to Mounjaro or Zepbound, another weight loss drug containing tirzepatide.

Because the FAERS is a voluntary reporting system, it is possible that the true number of deaths associated with drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy is far higher than the 162 deaths currently listed in the FDA system.

Additional Side Effects Linked to Diabetes-Weight Loss Drugs

Ozempic and other weight loss and diabetes drugs have been linked to serious an potentially fatal gastrointestinal problems, including gastroparesis, stomach paralysis (“frozen stomach”), and ileus. Dozens of patients who developed serious stomach problems after taking these weight loss drugs have filed lawsuits against their manufacturers.

According to FDA data, deaths linked to semaglutide and tirzepatide have risen by 40% over the last six months. During that time, reports of at least 117 deaths among patients who used  the diabetes and weight loss drugs were added to the system.

In addition, the FDA has received at least 62,000 reports of side effects linked to drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy since 2018. About 10,000 of these cases were listed as “serious”, meaning that the patients who experienced side effects from these drugs was hospitalized or experienced life-threatening complications because of side effects linked to these drugs.

A similar report published in February 2025 by the British National Health Service (NHS) also found that Ozempic and similar weight loss and diabetes drugs were linked to at least 82 deaths in the United Kingdom.

This massive increase in the number of deaths and side effects linked to Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy has coincided with a sharp increase in the number of patients who have used these medications to help with weight loss over the past two years.

Potential Increased Side Effects Risk With Tirzepatide

During 2023 and 2024, Mounjaro and other weight loss medications containing tirzepatide have been linked to twice as many reported side effects as semaglutide. 

In 2023, there were more than 15,000 reported cases of side effects linked to tirzepatide, compared to about 6,000 for semaglutide. During this year, the FDA has received more than 19,000 reports of side effects liked to tirzepatide versus about 5,000 associated with semaglutide.

Health experts have speculated that the increased potency of Mounjaro and other drugs with tirzepatide may be responsible for the greater number of side effects reported among users of these medications.

Start Your Claim Today

If you or a loved one used Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, or other weight loss and diabetes drugs and were diagnosed with gastroparesis, stomach paralysis (“frozen stomach”), ileus, or other serious gastrointestinal problems, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation.

Dozens of patients who were prescribed these medications, or other drugs such as Trulicity and Saxenda, have filed lawsuits alleging that their gastrointestinal problems were caused by these weight loss medications.

To start the process of filing your claim today, contact the lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling our law office toll-free at 1-866-806-8117. You can also contact our attorneys by filling out our free claims submission form located at the top of this page.