Zepbound Lawsuits: Side Effects, Legal Risks, and How to Get Justice

Millions of people in the United States struggle with managing their weight each year due to pre-existing health conditions like diabetes. New drugs have emerged to help manage the effects of certain health conditions, however, companies seeking to capitalize on medical advancements are releasing drugs that have left individuals suffering from severe or even life-threatening side effects. 

As weight-loss drugs powered by GLP-1 receptor agonists surge in popularity, a newer name has entered the market: Zepbound. Manufactured by Eli Lilly and using the active ingredient tirzepatide, Zepbound has shown dramatic results in aiding weight loss. 

However, it’s also raising serious safety questions and triggering legal scrutiny due to potential links to gastroparesis, thyroid cancer, and other serious side effects.

If you or a loved one suffered adverse side effects from using Zepbound, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and any losses incurred. Learn more today by contacting Morgan and Morgan for a free case evaluation.

What Is Zepbound?

Like other drugs on the market, Zepbound is an FDA-approved weekly injectable medicine prescribed to adults with obesity or excess weight who also have weight-related medical problems to help shed excess weight. Zepbound contains tirzepatide, which is an active ingredient that targets both the GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists to reduce appetite and slow food movement in the digestive tract.

What Are the Side Effects to Using Zepbound?

Zepbound is an FDA-approved injectable prescription medicine targeted towards adults with obesity or excess weight who also have weight-related medical issues. Zepbound was designed to help adults lose weight; however, studies have found that Zepbound has been linked to serious and even life-threatening side effects. Adults who have taken Zepbound have reported suffering from the following side effects:

• Dehydration 
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Gallbladder problems
• Kidney failure
• Nausea
• Pancreatitis
• Severe stomach problems
• Thyroid cancer
• Tumors

If you have taken Zepbound and have experienced symptoms like pain in your abdomen, fever, yellowing of skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools, or vomiting, contact a medical professional right away.

What Is Tirzepatide and How Does It Work in Zepbound?

Tirzepatide is a dual agonist, which means it activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors in the body. These hormones help regulate insulin secretion, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite.

The dual-action mechanism allows tirzepatide to be more effective for weight loss than drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide), which targets only GLP-1. However, this mechanism also means a higher burden on the gastrointestinal system, which may explain why severe side effects are becoming more common.

Zepbound vs. Mounjaro: How They Differ and Why It Matters

Zepbound and Mounjaro are, in many ways, twins. Both are manufactured by Eli Lilly, and both use tirzepatide as their active ingredient. The primary difference lies in their FDA-approved use:

• Mounjaro: Approved for Type 2 diabetes treatment.
• Zepbound: Approved in November 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions.

While the chemical formulation is the same, Zepbound is marketed directly for weight loss, often to a broader population that may not have diabetes. That distinction matters in court. Off-label use or aggressive marketing for cosmetic weight loss can potentially increase liability for the manufacturer if patients are harmed, especially if full side effect risks weren’t disclosed.

If Eli Lilly marketed these drugs differently, did they also take different safety precautions?

FDA Safety Warnings or Clinical Trial Findings on Tirzepatide

As of 2024, the FDA has not issued a black box warning specific to Zepbound, but it shares the same class-wide warning found on other GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic: a potential link to thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Clinical trials have exposed a few key concerns. SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2 trials showed impressive weight loss results with Zepbound, with up to 21% body weight reduction in some participants. However, gastrointestinal events were notably common, with up to 66% of participants reporting nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Some early reports also suggest a possible link to gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, a side effect also emerging in lawsuits against Ozempic and Mounjaro.

The FDA is currently reviewing post-marketing data as reports of severe GI disorders, including ileus and bowel obstruction, begin to surface from Zepbound users.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Zepbound Side Effects

If you’ve recently taken Zepbound, it’s important to recognize potential side effects early—some of which may lead to life-altering conditions. Common issues like nausea and bloating may mask more severe problems.

Watch for these red flags:

• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain that doesn’t resolve
• Difficulty digesting food or feeling full quickly
• Severe constipation or bloating
• Sudden weight loss beyond expectations
• A lump in the neck or hoarseness (possible thyroid symptoms)

These may be signs of gastroparesis, pancreatitis, or thyroid tumors, all of which are beginning to show up in Zepbound-related medical reports.

Zepbound for Weight Loss: Off-Label Use Legal Risks

Even though Zepbound is approved for weight loss, some providers prescribe Mounjaro off-label for the same purpose. This creates a gray area in liability. Zepbound was fast-tracked due to high demand, but critics argue the approval relied heavily on short-term trials without fully addressing long-term outcomes.

If you were prescribed Zepbound without full disclosure of potential long-term risks or were encouraged to use it for purely aesthetic weight loss without medical necessity, your provider and the manufacturer could both face legal exposure.

Furthermore, misrepresentation in marketing, failure to warn about serious complications, or lack of informed consent are all valid legal arguments in product liability cases.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered in Zepbound Claims?

If you or a loved one have suffered from Zepbound-related complications, you may be entitled to significant compensation through an individual claim or potential class action.

Damages may include:

• Medical expenses, including hospitalizations, surgery, and long-term care
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity due to disability
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
• Punitive damages if it’s proven that Eli Lilly acted with negligence or malice

An experienced mass tort attorney can evaluate the strength of your claim and guide you through the process of joining an existing suit or filing independently.

Can Zepbound Cause Thyroid Cancer or Tumors?

Zepbound carries the same thyroid cancer warning found on all GLP-1 drugs. In animal studies, tirzepatide caused C-cell tumors in rats. While this has not been definitively shown in humans, the concern remains.

Patients with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 are strongly advised not to take Zepbound. If you’ve been diagnosed with thyroid cancer after Zepbound use, especially without prior risk factors, you may have grounds for legal action.

How Is Zepbound Different From Other GLP-1 Drugs Like Wegovy?

Zepbound stands out from other GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic primarily because of its dual-action mechanism. 

While Wegovy and Ozempic are based on semaglutide, which targets only the GLP-1 receptor, Zepbound uses tirzepatide, a compound that activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. This dual-agonist approach enhances insulin sensitivity, slows digestion, and reduces appetite more significantly than GLP-1 alone, which has translated to greater weight loss outcomes in clinical trials. 

For example, patients taking Zepbound have reported an average weight reduction of up to 21%, compared to about 15–17% with Wegovy. However, this increased effectiveness may come with a cost: Zepbound users appear to experience gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, at higher rates than those taking semaglutide-based medications. 

Additionally, while Ozempic is FDA-approved for managing type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for chronic weight management, Zepbound was specifically developed and approved for weight loss, positioning it in direct competition with Wegovy. 

Though Zepbound may seem more potent, patients and doctors must weigh the potential benefits against the higher risk of complications associated with its more aggressive mechanism of action.

What Tests Can Confirm That Zepbound Caused My Side Effects?

There’s no single test that “proves” Zepbound caused your condition, but medical documentation can create a strong link.

Useful diagnostic tools, you can acquire information regarding the following:

• Gastric emptying studies for gastroparesis
• Endoscopy and imaging for intestinal blockages
• Ultrasound and biopsy for thyroid nodules or cancer
• Medical history review to rule out other causes

Combining your treatment timeline, side effect onset, and diagnostic results will help build a case that connects your symptoms to the drug.

Are There Active Class Actions Against Zepbound Manufacturers?

As of June 2025, several individual lawsuits have been filed involving tirzepatide and Zepbound, but a class action or MDL (Multidistrict Litigation) is still in development.

Given the volume of injuries associated with similar drugs, legal experts anticipate Zepbound may soon be included in an expanded GLP-1 litigation track, especially as more data becomes available.

If you're considering legal action, joining early may give you a stronger chance of inclusion in early settlement talks or bellwether trials.

How Does the Zepbound Claim Process Work With Morgan & Morgan?

At Morgan & Morgan, we’re already helping clients investigate Zepbound-related injuries. The claim process is simple and designed to minimize stress for victims:

1. Free case evaluation: You’ll speak with a team member who will listen to your story.
2. Medical record review: We gather your prescriptions, diagnoses, and test results.
3. Legal filing: If your case is viable, we’ll file a claim on your behalf—no upfront fees.
4. Litigation or settlement: We handle everything from expert testimony to negotiations.

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win. With over 1,000 attorneys and billions recovered, Morgan & Morgan is the nation’s largest injury law firm, and we’re ready to fight for you.

How Can Morgan & Morgan Help With a Zepbound Claim?

Zepbound represents a powerful new tool in the fight against obesity, but power comes with responsibility. If Eli Lilly failed to disclose the true scope of Zepbound’s risks or minimized known complications, patients have the right to hold them accountable.

Working with a qualified attorney can significantly increase your chances of recovering compensation for your damages. At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys are highly specialized and have access to the largest resources in America to help you take on Big Pharma companies that would put your life at risk.

If you have been prescribed Zepbound and have suffered an injury or illness, we may be able to help you. Victims of the drug Zepbound can learn if they qualify to file a claim by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.