Can Wegovy Cause Gallbladder Problems?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist that can help treat several medical conditions. But like all medications, it can cause side effects. One area getting more attention is the link between Wegovy and gallbladder problems.

In this article, we’ll review how Wegovy affects the gallbladder, the warning signs of gallbladder problems, and whether it’s safe to take Wegovy if you already have a gallbladder condition.

Is there a link between Wegovy and gallbladder​ issues?

Yes, both injectable and oral Wegovy are linked to a higher risk of gallstones (cholelithiasis) and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). 

In clinical trials, people taking injectable Wegovy were about twice as likely to develop gallstones as people taking placebo. They were also three times more likely to develop gallbladder inflammation. 

But the overall rates were still very low. Only 1.6% of people taking injectable Wegovy developed gallstones, and less than 1% developed gallbladder inflammation. 

The risk of developing gallstones were slightly higher with the Wegovy pill. In clinical trials, about 2.5% of people taking oral semaglutide developed gallstones.

Follow-up studies have found similar links between Wegovy, gallstones, and gallbladder inflammation. These studies also suggest that higher doses of semaglutide are more likely to trigger gallbladder issues.

At this time, there’s no evidence that Wegovy increases the risk of other conditions connected to the gallbladder, like:

• Bile duct cancer

• Cholangitis (infection of the bile ducts)

• Cholestasis (reduced bile flow) 

Why does Wegovy affect the gallbladder?

Researchers think Wegovy affects the gallbladder in several different ways.

What are the signs of gallbladder issues from Wegovy?

It can be hard to know if you’ve developed gallstones while taking Wegovy. That’s because many people who develop gallbladder stones never develop any symptoms or complications from them. 

Gallstones that get stuck in the ducts that connect the gallbladder to the intestine can cause symptoms.  

Gallstones that get stuck temporarily cause symptoms, such as:

• Right-sided abdominal pain 

• Abdominal pain right beneath the rib cage 

• Pain between the shoulder blades

• Pain that moves from the right side of the stomach to the right shoulder

• Nausea

• Vomiting

These symptoms go away when gallstones move. But symptoms can come back if another gallstone gets stuck. 

Gallstones that get stuck and don’t move are more serious. They can lead to inflammation in the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or gallbladder ducts (cholangitis). They can also trigger inflammation in your pancreas (pancreatitis). 

These are serious medical conditions that need urgent treatment. You should get immediate medical care if you develop:

• Fever

• Intense stomach pain that isn’t going away

• Severe nausea and vomiting

• Intense shoulder or back pain that isn’t going away

• Yellowing of the whites of your eyes

Can you take Wegovy if you have a gallbladder condition?

Many people with gallbladder conditions can safely take Wegovy. Gallbladder disease isn’t listed in Wegovy’s prescribing information as a reason to avoid the medication. Let’s take a closer look at specific situations.

How to keep your gallbladder healthy while taking Wegovy

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent gallbladder problems while taking Wegovy. But these steps may help lower your risk:

• Include healthy fats in your meals: Fat helps trigger the gallbladder to empty bile when you eat. This keeps bile from sitting in the gallbladder for too long, where it can form into stones. Healthy fat sources you can add to meals include olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.

• Eat enough fiber: Higher fiber intake is linked to a lower risk of gallstones. Fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are great sources of fiber to add to your meals.

• Limit refined sugars: Diets high in refined sugars are linked to a higher risk of gallstones. Choosing more balanced meals may help support gallbladder health.

• Avoid losing weight too quickly: Rapid weight loss (more than 3 lbs per week) may increase the risk of gallstones. Your healthcare team may recommend slowing down dose increases if you’re losing weight very fast. 

• Talk with your healthcare team about ursodiol: Ursodiol may help prevent gallstones during rapid weight loss, especially in people who already have gallstones. Talk with your healthcare team about whether this option is right for you.

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Written by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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