Semaglutide injections are popular medication for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. This type of GLP-1 receptor agonist is known to cause weight loss and lower blood glucose levels.
These weight loss injections have a complicated history with patient health and safety as have already been associated with gastrointestinal injuries, deep vein thrombosis, and vision loss.
Questions about other long-term effects are beginning to surface: is semaglutide linked to cancer? These concerns are not unfounded, as a weight loss drug called lorcaserin (a serotonin 2C receptor agonist) has been linked to cancer before, leading to its withdrawal.
There is still limited literature on how glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) injections affect a patient's chance of developing cancer, but there are enough findings to show that patients should be wary. As of March 2025, some studies link GLP-1 to increased cancer risk, particularly thyroid cancer, while other long-term risks related to cancer are still being studied.
Studies on mice found that GLP-1 RA and other similar medications have caused thyroid tumors in treated mice. This has earned drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy a warning box from the FDA, showing that GLP-1 is contraindicated for patients with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer and the rare disorder multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Several studies have been published since then that further explore this topic. A French survey of diabetes patients found that being exposed to GLP-1RA for 1 to 3 years was linked to higher risks of thyroid carcinomas and MTC. In a paper published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, researchers found that thyroid cancer risk was higher in the first year of GLP-1 RA therapy. They could not conclude whether the short-term risk was because of early detection or another underlying cause.
There are also contrasting results that link GLP-1 to lower cancer risks for other cancer types. A 2024 study found that semaglutide slowed the growth of breast cancer on ice. In another study, there were fewer incidences of early-onset colorectal cancer among diabetes patients taking GLP-1 medication than among patients who were not on GLP-1 treatment. These recently published studies recommend further trials to confirm the long-term effects of GLP-1 injections on patients.
It should be worth noting that low cancer risks are not proven to be permanent. If the lowered cancer risk is due to lowered blood sugar and reduced body weight, patients must be wary of what will happen if semaglutide injections are stopped. If patients gain weight back or get spiked blood sugar after treatment, what are the new odds for cancer? There are currently no long-term studies exploring this for semaglutide.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are contraindicated for patients with a family history of MTC and MEN2 (type 2a or 2b). GLP-1 receptor agonists have also been linked with adverse events for preexisting cancer and other medical conditions. Researchers warned patients with neuroendocrine cancer that semaglutide might play a role in stimulating tumor growth. This study on mice was published in the journal Surgery in March 2025.
The FDA has also warned patients with the following conditions to take this drug with caution: gastroparesis, pancreatitis, and renal impairment. It is widely known that semaglutide can cause serious gastrointestinal (GI) issues, with gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) among the most alarming. Over 1,500 lawsuits have been filed within multidistrict litigation (MDL 3094) for GI injuries. Other conditions that have been linked to GLP-1 drugs include the following:
If you had developed severe adverse reactions or injuries from taking semaglutide injection or other GLP-1 products, you may be eligible for compensation. Claims can be filed under MDL 3094 (for gastrointestinal injuries like stomach paralysis, bowel obstruction, and pancreatitis) or an individual lawsuit for other injuries.
To get your case started, contact Atraxia Law today for a free consultation over the phone. We only need 10 minutes of your time and medical documents proving diagnosis and history of taking semaglutide injection.