Weight loss injections have been associated with a rise in individuals requiring gallbladder removal surgery.
A prominent surgeon noted an increasing number of patients undergoing these procedures mention using the injections. In England, the NHS conducted 80,196 gallbladder surgeries in 2024-25, marking a 15% surge from the previous year, the highest in ten years.
Surgeon Ahmed Ahmed, the president of the British Obesity and Metabolic Specialist Society, advocates for further investigation into the potential connection between weight loss shots and gallbladder removals. He emphasized the need for research to determine if the injections directly cause gallstones or if the rapid weight loss induced by the injections leads to gallstone formation.
Gallstones, which are solid deposits in the gallbladder, are a recognized side effect of weight loss injections. In addition to injections, factors like rapid weight loss, a high-fat low-fiber diet, and obesity can contribute to gallstone development.
Consultant surgeon James Hewes from Bristol, specializing in obesity and bariatric surgery, reported an increase in patients with gallstones, highlighting the challenge of discerning whether the injections or pre-existing conditions are responsible.
Popular weekly injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro mimic the hormone GLP-1 to reduce appetite and slow digestion, aiding in weight loss. While these injections are prescribed by the NHS for weight loss, only Ozempic is used for diabetes.
Manufacturers like Eli Lilly caution that gallstones are a common side effect of Mounjaro when used for weight management, affecting up to one in ten individuals. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, underscores the safety of GLP-1 drugs, emphasizing rigorous clinical trials and patient safety.
Clinical trials of semaglutide, a component in these injections, reported acute gallstone disease in 1.6% of patients, leading to gallbladder inflammation in 0.6%. Novo Nordisk advises healthcare providers to consider gallstone-related risks when evaluating patients for Wegovy.
The company stresses that acute gallstone disease is a potential common adverse reaction for Wegovy, as indicated in the drug’s UK product characteristics.