Ozempic Linked to Muscle and Bone Loss

Washington, DC “'You've got the shrinks!' cried Mr Twit.” Roald Dahl’s "The Twits" tells the story of a deliciously dreadful old couple who torment each other (and their pet monkeys) with malicious pranks, including one where Mr. Twit gaslights his wife into believing that she’s shrinking.

It’s hilarious--especially if you’re eight and have a wicked sense of humor. Not so funny, however, if you have lost weight with Ozempic, but now your face sags and you are suddenly getting shorter.

New studies suggest that among the growing list of dangerous Ozempic side effects are severe muscle loss, clinically known as sarcopenia, and osteoporosis, or decreased bone mineral density. The latter is associated with hip, wrist and spinal fractures. Repeated small spinal fractures can cause stooped posture or loss of height – yes, the dreaded shrinks.

More information, more lawsuits

As awareness of these dangers increases, so too do Ozempic lawsuits. As of January 2, 2025, there are 1,331 pending lawsuits against GLP-1 drug manufacturers as part of federal multidistrict litigation. The number of people who can trace their injuries to Ozempic and similar medications has grown exponentially.

While shedding pounds can bring about health and beauty benefits, losing weight rapidly has been linked to a growing number of dangerous medical issues. Skinny and healthy can be related, but they are not synonymous.

Skinny fat or prematurely 85?

The cosmetic consequences of Ozempic-related sarcopenia--the sagging and wrinkling of “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic neck” have left celebrities fleeing from the drug. But there is far more to lose than famous good looks.

Sarcopenia is typically associated with aging, but rapidly losing weight with GLP-1s like Ozempic or Wegovy can also cause the condition. Without careful attention to nutrition, sarcopenia may negatively affect a person’s quality of life by reducing stamina and ability to perform daily activities, such as easily walking upstairs, according to Dr. Rekha Kumar, a practicing  endocrinologist.

The condition mimics obesity and is sometimes known as “skinny fat” because it occurs when a person’s body mass index is in the normal or low range, but their levels of lean muscle are so low that fat and bones are the only metabolically active tissue.

Ozempic and bone health

Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication primarily used for type 2 diabetes, has gained significant attention for its potential to aid in weight loss. However, recent studies have also raised concerns about its impact on bone health, specifically a decrease in bone mineral density.

Bone mineral density is a crucial indicator of bone strength. It measures the amount of mineral content, primarily calcium and phosphorus, within a specific bone area. Lower bone mineral density increases the risk of fractures, particularly in the hip and spine, leading to conditions like osteoporosis.

Several factors may contribute to the potential association between Ozempic and decreased bone mineral density. These include rapid weight loss, a change in bone metabolism that appears to slow the rate of bone formation and diabetes medications that increase the risk of fractures.

Fragile hips and backs

The hip and spine are particularly vulnerable to fractures because they bear weight. A decrease in bone mineral density significantly increases the risk of:

• Broken hips, which can have devastating consequences, including significant pain, loss of mobility, and increased risk of mortality; and
• vertebral fractures, which can occur silently and may cause back pain, height loss and spinal deformities.

Individuals who take Ozempic, especially those with risk factors for osteoporosis – older age, women and a family history of the condition – should be closely monitored by a medical professional.

The prognosis for Ozempic lawsuits

Ozempic was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in 2017. Since then, however, there have been growing, well-documented reports of dangerous, potentially deadly side effects.

The lawsuits were consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. MDL 2094 is proceeding, albeit at the usual snail’s pace, before Judge Karen Spencer Marston. The attorneys’ briefs are not due until late 2025. Bellwether trials are still a very long way off and settlement negotiations are even farther. But the number of Ozempic lawsuits has grown steadily. Some expect the total to ultimately top 10,000.

So what good is a lawsuit for someone who suffers from bone and/or muscle loss or any number of the other side effects, including stomach paralysis, blindness, thyroid cancer and bowel obstruction? At the moment, the benefits are somewhat indirect. It is possible, however, that the public attention generated by the lawsuits will lead patients and doctors to be cautious in their approach to the drug. Avoiding harm is an important benefit, too.