A Texas resident has filed a lawsuit against a major pharmaceutical company, alleging severe injuries from the use of a diabetes medication. The complaint was filed by Kareem McClain in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas on June 26, 2024, naming Eli Lilly and Company as the defendant.
The case revolves around McClain's use of Mounjaro, an injectable prescription medication designed to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. According to the complaint, McClain used Mounjaro from August 2023 to October 2023 and subsequently suffered from ileus and intestinal obstruction—conditions that led to severe abdominal pain, swelling, diarrhea, and a six-day hospitalization. McClain's legal team argues that Eli Lilly failed to adequately warn users about these potential side effects despite being aware of them through clinical trials and medical literature.
Mounjaro belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which are known to slow gastric emptying and intestinal motility. This slowing can lead to conditions like ileus—a temporary lack of normal muscle contractions in the intestines—and intestinal obstruction. The complaint cites multiple studies and case reports dating back over a decade that have linked GLP-1RAs with gastrointestinal issues. For instance, a 2010 study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that GLP-1 slows gastric emptying significantly. Additionally, regulatory bodies like Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau have issued warnings about these risks since at least 2012.
Despite this body of evidence, McClain's attorneys argue that Eli Lilly did not include adequate warnings about these severe gastrointestinal risks on Mounjaro’s label or in its promotional materials. "Eli Lilly continued to market Mounjaro as safe for use without disclosing these serious risks," states the complaint. It also highlights how other drugs in the same class have had similar issues but were better documented or warned against by their manufacturers.
McClain is seeking compensatory damages for his medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. He is also asking for punitive damages due to what he describes as Eli Lilly’s willful negligence in failing to warn about the drug’s risks adequately. The plaintiff claims that had he been properly informed about these potential side effects, he would not have used Mounjaro or would have sought alternative treatments.
Representing Kareem McClain are attorneys from Morgan & Morgan law firm. The case has been assigned Case No. 1:24-cv-00707 and will be presided over by Judge [Name]. Eli Lilly is expected to mount a robust defense against these allegations.