Wegovy Gallstones: What You Need to Know About Weight Loss Drugs and Gallbladder Risks

When you take Wegovy, a prescription weight loss drug containing semaglutide that works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite. Also known as semaglutide, it’s one of the most effective tools for losing weight, but it’s not without risks—especially for your gallbladder. Gallstones form when bile hardens into solid particles, often because your gallbladder isn’t emptying properly. Wegovy slows how fast food moves through your gut, which can cause bile to sit too long and crystallize. This isn’t rare: clinical trials showed about 1 in 20 people using semaglutide developed gallbladder problems, including gallstones and inflammation.

The risk isn’t the same for everyone. People who lose weight fast—more than 1.5 pounds a week—are more likely to get gallstones. So are those with a history of gallbladder issues, obesity, diabetes, or who are female. If you’ve used other GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic or Mounjaro before, your body may already be adjusting to slower digestion, which adds to the risk. Gallstones don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, you’ll feel sharp pain under your right rib cage, nausea, bloating after meals, or jaundice. These aren’t side effects you can ignore. A 2023 study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that people on semaglutide had nearly double the rate of gallbladder-related hospital visits compared to those on placebo.

It’s not all bad news. Many people use Wegovy without any gallbladder issues at all. But if you’re starting or already on it, pay attention. Don’t wait for pain to become unbearable. Talk to your doctor about your risk before you begin. If you’re losing weight fast, ask if slowing down the dose could help. Eat regular, balanced meals—skipping meals or going long periods without eating makes gallstones worse. Stay hydrated. And if you notice sudden pain after eating fatty food, don’t brush it off. It might be your gallbladder telling you something.

The posts below cover what you need to know next: how other weight loss drugs like tirzepatide compare in gallbladder risk, how to spot early signs of gallstone trouble, what to do if you need surgery, and how to protect your liver and gallbladder while losing weight. You’ll also find advice on managing side effects, understanding insurance coverage for follow-up care, and what alternatives exist if Wegovy isn’t right for you. This isn’t just about avoiding complications—it’s about staying healthy while you get results.