Gallbladder problems are common, but in recent years health care providers have noticed a noticeable rise in gallbladder cases. Christina Arp, nurse practitioner with Prisma Health General Surgery, said the growing use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro® and Trulicity® may be the cause. These medicines are effective for controlling blood sugar and supporting weight loss, but they also can affect the gallbladder. “I’ve seen a significant increase in gallbladder disease among patients using GLP-1 medications,” Arp said. “These medicines can be life-changing, but they also can lead to complications people don’t always recognize at first.”
The gallbladder is a small organ located just under the liver. Its job is to store bile, which the body uses to digest fat. When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to help with digestion. Gallstones can form when cholesterol builds up in bile, but if the gallbladder isn’t working correctly or if gallstones develop, it can cause painful and disruptive symptoms. Rapid weight loss, which often happens with GLP-1 medications, increases the amount of cholesterol released from the liver. At the same time, these drugs slow digestion, which also can slow gallbladder function. It is important to note that some people may develop symptoms without gallstones.
Family history, age, diet and obesity all increase the risk for gallbladder disease. Women are more likely to be affected, partly due to hormone changes. According to research published in 2022 by the JAMA Internal Medicine medical journal, people taking GLP-1 medications may be two or three times more likely to develop gallbladder disease, especially when the medicines are used in higher doses or over longer periods of time.
Symptoms can vary. Pain is one of the most common complaints, often described as sharp cramping or pressure in the upper right side of the abdomen after eating fatty foods. Some patients say it feels like a fist is pushing under the rib cage or feels similar to being stuck in a vice. Pain may spread to the back or shoulder and last for hours. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and indigestion.
If you have symptoms, health care providers often begin diagnosis with an ultrasound to check for gallstones or inflammation. Another test, called a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid Scan, or HIDA Scan, measures how well the gallbladder is working. “It’s important to know you don’t have to have gallstones to have gallbladder disease. Sometimes the gallbladder simply isn’t functioning the way it should and that can cause the same symptoms,” Arp explained. If gallbladder disease is diagnosed, surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most common treatment. Called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the procedure is minimally invasive and usually takes less than an hour. Most patients go home the same day and recover within a few weeks.
After surgery, some people need time to adjust their diet. Greasy or fatty foods may cause loose stools at first, but this often improves over time. Most patients can return to their normal eating habits and even resume their GLP-1 medications within a week or two. Arp says one of the most important steps is listening to your body. “Don’t ignore ongoing stomach pain or nausea, especially if it happens after meals. Gallbladder problems are common, and treatment usually is successful. Getting the right diagnosis early can make a big difference in how quickly you feel better,” Arp said.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Prisma Health General Surgery, call 865-238-6430.
