In a striking case that underscores the potential risks of weight-loss medications, Brad Roberts, a 44-year-old father of four from South Carolina, has filed a lawsuit against his prescribing physician, Dr. Tony Puopolo, alleging severe health complications from the use of Ozempic.
Roberts, once a high-flying chief operating officer, claims that the drug, widely celebrated for its weight-loss benefits, has left him bedridden and battling a cascade of debilitating symptoms.
According to a March 21, 2025, article in the Daily Mail, Roberts initially turned to Ozempic after years of struggling with obesity, a condition he says worsened following his father’s death, when he began to “fill the void with food.”
The drug delivered rapid results—Roberts lost an astonishing 24 pounds in just one month, a transformation that landed him a role in a commercial for LifeMD. In this telehealth company, he was employed at the time.
In the ad, he proudly declared, “For the first time in five years, I feel confident, I feel the difference. Making a change is possible, it can happen.” However, what seemed like a success story quickly unraveled into a nightmare.
The lawsuit, filed alongside his wife Stacey, contends that between November 2022 and 2023, Dr. Puopolo overprescribed a combination of “overlapping” and sometimes unapproved weight-loss drugs, pushing Roberts’ weight loss to an unsustainable 3.5 pounds per week—far exceeding the recommended safe rate of 1 to 2 pounds.
The family is seeking $35.8 million in damages, asserting that this aggressive regimen triggered catastrophic health consequences. Roberts now spends up to 18 hours a day in bed, plagued by excruciating pain in his joints, muscles, and stomach.
He also reports severe equilibrium and imbalance issues, making it difficult to stand or walk, particularly on stairs, due to the deterioration of fatty tissue in his ears.
The Daily Mail article highlights expert testimony supporting Roberts’ claims.
Dr. Robert Cooper, a New York-based diabetes specialist with over 25 years of experience, warns that overuse of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic can lead to serious adverse effects, including gastrointestinal disturbances, pancreatitis, and even death.
Roberts’ therapist, Dr. Yadira Lockard, who has treated him since 2015, further detailed his decline, noting in court documents that he “does not have the mental capacity to make life decisions of any particular consequence” due to his condition.
She also reported his ongoing complaints of ear pain and softening teeth, painting a grim picture of his physical and mental deterioration.
Roberts’ experience adds to growing concerns about the side effects of Ozempic and similar drugs, such as Wegovy, which have surged in popularity for their ability to promote rapid weight loss.
The Daily Mail notes that these medications have been linked to rare but serious issues, including vision loss and hearing problems, the latter of which aligns with Roberts’ symptoms.
Despite undergoing six surgeries to address his hearing issues, Roberts says they have been unsuccessful, leaving him with persistent challenges.
This lawsuit emerges amid a broader wave of legal action against weight-loss drug manufacturers and prescribers.
Patients like Roberts are increasingly questioning whether the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks, particularly when administered without proper oversight.
For Roberts, the promise of a “new svelte look” has come at an unimaginable cost, transforming his life from one of confidence and professional success to one of chronic pain and dependency.
