MDL Sought for GLP-1 NAION Lawsuits Against Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Manufacturers

Manufacturer is asking the U.S. JPML to appoint the same judge currently overseeing the Ozempic and Mounjaro gastroparesis lawsuits to preside over GLP-1 NAION vision loss lawsuits as well.

Eli Lilly is asking a panel of federal judges to create a new multidistrict litigation (MDL) for the growing number of NAION vision loss lawsuits being filed by former users of Mounjaro, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, indicating that the new cases should be assigned to the same U.S. District judge already overseeing several thousand gastroparesis lawsuits involving the same medications.

The company is the manufacturer of Mounjaro and Zepbound, which belong to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which also include Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Rybelsus and others. While the popular medications began as diabetes treatments, in recent years they have been linked to significant weight loss benefits, prompting a surge in new formulations.

However, as more individuals use the medications, several serious health risks have been linked to GLP-1s, including a severe form of stomach paralysis known as gastroparesis, intestinal obstructions and a rare vision condition known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can cause blurred vision or blindness.

Concerns about potential vision loss side effects began to emerge in July 2024,, following the publication of a study by Harvard researchers that found a seven-fold increased risk of NAION among Ozempic users. Another study published in early August in JAMA Ophthalmology determined that the problem was not just linked to Ozempic, but was likely class-wide.

The revelations have led to a growing number of GLP-1 vision loss lawsuits being filed in federal courts nationwide, which come as the manufacturers are already facing GLP-1 gastroparesis lawsuits, alleging that a desire for profits has been placed above the health and safety of patients.

All of the gastroparesis claims are currently consolidated before U.S. District Judge Karen Marston, as part of an Ozempic and Mounjaro stomach paralysis lawsuit MDL in the District of Eastern Pennsylvania, where the court is coordinating discovery into common issues in the claims and pretrial proceedings.

On August 19, Eli Lilly filed a motion to transfer (PDF) with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) calling for Judge Marston to also be assigned to oversee the growing number of NAION lawsuits as well.

“Centralization of the NAION cases in a separate MDL before Judge Marston—or including them in the existing MDL—is the most efficient course for all parties, witnesses, and the federal and state courts.”
– Eli Lilly Motion for Transfer, August 19, 2025

According to the motion, at least 21 GLP-1 NAION lawsuits have been filed across three federal districts to date. In addition, the company claims there are dozens of similar lawsuits also being filed in state courts, most of which have been brought in New Jersey state court. Eli Lilly says those will have to be coordinated with the federal claims. New Jersey is also home to 17 of the federal cases filed so far.

The company argues that there is significant overlap between the NAION and stomach paralysis claims, noting that Marston is already familiar with a lot of the science involved.

As part of the coordinated management of the Ozempic gastroparesis MDL, Judge Marston has called for the parties to focus on several preliminary issues that would impact all claims, including a determination about whether the failure to warn lawsuits are preempted by federal law and whether there is sufficient general causation evidence linking Ozempic and the gastrointestinal injuries.

Eli Lilly says it expects the NAION lawsuits to take a similar route.

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